A black screen signals the beginning of the production as the Hulu logo appears and disappears. In a sweeping motion, the Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE logo appears, the box that the letters appear in drawing itself with a neon glow before flashing once as it locks itself in. The beginning riff to “Battle Drums” by Kazyo featuring Atreyu begins as the aqua color dissolves the logo for the opening sequence.
As the opening clears away, we once again see the counter in which our host, Michael Lemao, is seated. The social media assistant appears classy in his button down shirt (remember, he is often shirtless). He wears a bandanna around his forehead and he looks pretty jazzed to be here. This time, however, he’s not alone. Joining him at the desk is a woman who has brightly colored hair, tattoos, and an infectious smile.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Welcome to Strategic Assault II! Double your fun, double your–
AMELIA REYNOLDS: I wouldn’t finish that line, the sponsors might be miffed.
Amelia speaks with a clearly Australian accent, and she beams at Mickey, who nods politely with understanding.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: True, true. Good one, mate.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: …no.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: No?
AMELIA REYNOLDS: No.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Ah, well. It’s been a tumultuous year within Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE, has it not? Title changes, people moving in and out of the company, fan-fuckin’-tastic shows that have really been top notch. Magnificence had a little bit of a hiccup, and we had to close for a moment, but…here we are. Season. Two.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: With new seasons means new roster, new competitors, new drives, new championships, and even a bit more nuanced fights to have this year.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: We took a moment off, absolutely…but…let’s look at the YEAR IN REVIEW.
The words “YEAR IN REVIEW” slam onto the screen as if they’re flying in from a single point. The camera zooms in on Mickey, who places his hands firmly onto the desk and leans forward.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: No one knew what was going to happen twelve shows ago. We didn’t know who would take the Excellence Championship home that night. But when it came down to it, Betsy Granger and Damian Ayla squared off, ready to tear apart each other for the chance to win gold. But Violence won. Damian Ayla was crowned the Inaugural Excellence Champion and for the next six months, he defended it with vitriol and venom.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: When I first came onto the scene here at Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE, Damian Ayla had a stranglehold on the division itself. Challenger after challenger came after him, from outside of the company and in. His first defense, at Annihilation, was against Nathaniel Cartwright, who fought valiantly in a vicious deathmatch. But it wasn’t enough to topple Ayla, who retained. The sewer rat, Alice, came up two shows later and was unable to find success.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Lewis Chad Pinkston, the lord bless my boi, was also unable to find success, though he nearly did get in that Anaconda Vice.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: He was very close.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Extremely close.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: Considering no one could beat him, Damian reached out to the rest of the industry. He invited them all in to try and take him down. Confident. Cocky. Callous. Ten names came in, both from Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE and from elsewhere. The Road to the Excellence Championship Invitational resulted in six names battling it out for the opportunity to face Damian. Names like Allen Chaney, Nathaniel Dixon of NFW and UGWC, Chris Page of XWF, Wraith of IWF and Ernie Spencer, a free agent, all came to fight and win. But it was Vhodka Black, formerly affiliated with FIGHT! NYC, that ultimately defeated them all to become the number one contender. And it was Vhodka Black who faced Damian Ayla and brought to an end to Damian Ayla’s desire to reach heaven through violence.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: It surprised me. I think Damian could have continued on in a strong fashion, but Vhodka was prepared. She was ready to go. And she narrowly, but surely, destroyed her competition. It’s unfortunate that she was not able to return at the current juncture, and she has vacated the championship some one hundred days later. She wanted to come back. She wanted to give the PWE fans that taste of another champion who could succeed prominently, but it just wasn’t an option. Ophelia Knight, however, has insisted that Vhodka Black will always have a place amongst the talent at PWE.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: That leads us to the matches tonight that will be revealed for the Excellence Championship. But what about the Impulse Championship?
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Zoey Madigan-Star first obtained the championship at VICTORY III, and held the championship for many, many nights. She didn’t have any defenses, but that’s simply because finding an opponent for her was difficult. She ran through a lot of the people that went up against her, and she did well, but she was engrossed in a vicious rivalry between both herself and Tara Ayla.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: Unlike her husband, Tara had a little bit of a rougher start here at PWE. However, she picked right up and became the contender for the Impulse Championship in the second cycle. Zoey and Tara traded words for many, many weeks before their match came to a head at Magnificence. While her husband lost his championship, she gained her championship off of Zoey. A boost of confidence from the mysterious La Andalucera may have helped her secure the win, and helped her find her own voice. And Zoey?
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Well, she was also dealing with Xaria Linette and her family members. Roughly a few weeks into the season, Xaria was attacked, and it was not widely known who was the perpetrator. Anyone close to Xaria seemed to be a target, and when William Blake Mason was attacked, Xaria figured it must be someone who worked closely with her in order to determine who it was. She settled on Zoey. The two were embroiled in a vicious battle of their own, but it was revealed that the attacker was none other than Remi Fontaine, Xaria’s nephew, adopting his alter-personality, Prince. The family left in order to ensure that this would never happen again.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: I think it’s important to mention here too that Tara was absolutely willing to continue her own path of violence through this whole ordeal. But it’s frowned upon to wrestle while you’re pregnant, I hear.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Absolutely true. Tara and her husband are legends now within this company, however, and if they should want to return, they are more than welcome as well.
Amelia looks at Mickey for a moment, a smile crossing her lips.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: You know what my favorite rivalry has been this whole time?
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Lachlan Kane and Angel?
AMELIA REYNOLDS: Oooooh that one is good. But no. Chelsea Skye–
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: –and Ollie Dorito?
AMELIA REYNOLDS: YES!
A sigh is issued, but smiles are prevalent.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: I hear Ollie is back this season and he’s just as vicious as before. Chelsea Skye, however, won their match when she finally popped Ollie enough and he simply tromped back into the back, saying fuck this quite loudly. I’m sure it’s not over. Ollie will probably piss in her suitcase.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: But let’s go back to that one. Lachlan Kane, our first Victory Champion, lost his championship during a embroiled feud that had the unhinged Angel taking on his entire family just to get under his skin. Months, the two were at each other’s throats, with Angel getting steadily more and more psychotic and Lachlan finally snapping. The two settled their battle, with Lachlan coming out strong. But I know that doesn’t mean anything, because Angel could have a new target as easily as pie.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: True. And I wonder who it will be…all of this, though, and we still have a second season to go! Tonight, we’ll be ensuring that you, the viewer, get to know our roster. Tonight, we’ve prepared for you a multitude of things.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: Tonight, we introduce to you new faces, and return to you the old ones that you’ve come to know and love. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see some of your favorites grace our halls. It’s time–
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: For Strategic Assault!
Darkness fills the viewers screen, and footsteps can be heard approaching as a young blonde man, with half his face painted walks out of the darkness with an expressionless look on his face, and begins to speak.
? ? ? ?: In a lion pride, it is the females who truly are in power. They are the true leaders, the true hunters, and the foundation of the pride. The males are to defend their territory, and their females honor. Such remains true in our pride.
He pauses, letting the words settle into the hearts of the viewers.
VINCENT LYONS: My name is Vincent Lyons Jr and I am here in PWE to support the dominant female in our pride. I am here to protect and serve our head lioness, as she seeks to maul, and destroy her way through everyone in this company. Her name is Victoria Lyons and she is the head lioness in our pride.
After he finishes, a girl, with darker hair, and half her face painted as well emerges into frame from the darkness, a twisted unsettling smile on her face.
VICTORIA LYONS: That will be all brother.
Vincent nods, and takes a back to stand behind her in silence, his non-expression not wavering.
VICTORIA LYONS: Hello, dearies. As my brother stated, my name is Victoria Lyons and I am the head of the family now. All Lyons shall answer my call or suffer the consequences, regardless of what company or brand they work for. I am the Head Lyoness, and after serving at my brother's side for 3 years, watching him win championships and matches, it became time to create MY story.
A creepy horror movie like giggle exudes from her lips
VICTORIA LYONS: And it’s going to be so much fun for us. You all only got a small taste, a sample of the horrors I intend to bring at the OLLA-Rumble earlier this year. Dark days are ahead of you PWE faithful, courtesy of myself, Vincent and NOVA.
He eyes suddenly shift from side to side, and she shakes her head a little
VICTORIA LYONS: Who is NOVA? NOVA is me. I am NOVA. NOVA is the voice inside that guides me, she led me to the dark and helped me become what you see before you. After all, I was once like all of you. But after a certain…tragedy….I went somewhere, and NOVA was there. I embraced her, felt her warmth and realized that I needed to make some changes, and become a new Victoria. It was time to change and be Not Ordinary Victoria Anymore.
Another bone-chilling giggle exits her lip, clearly this girl is unstable, and her brother seems almost lifeless as he stands behind her.
VICTORIA LYONS: See, a long time ago I was like every other little girl out there. I was beautiful…well, I still am beautiful. But I had my flowing blonde hair, young girls thought I was cool, yet all I was doing was getting him…
Victoria points to her brother behind her.
VICTORIA LYONS: Opportunity after opportunity, and at the old headquarters we started at, I sent his career to the next level. Then it came time that I myself wanted to lace up my boots.
Victoria pauses for a moment, taking in deep breath.
VICTORIA LYONS: Then I found myself dragged into this pathetic revolution with some bitch named Renee Jonae and my brother. We fought against names like Havoc who sought to bring destruction to the company, yet somehow it still was just the Vincent and Renee show. I was still the third fucking wheel, and then the day came where we all got assaulted by a renegeade group calling themselves The Left Hand.
She shakes her head, clearly not fond of the memory.
VICTORIA LYONS: So we got our asses kicked, and that was when NOVA came to me from the darkness and told me I needed to change from this pretty little blonde bimbo into something else, and the only way to do that was removing my brother from the equation, so…I trapped him in a hole for months until he understood how to obey, and follow my orders. Isn’t that right Vinny?
She glances back at her brother behind her, who smiles at her unwaveringly.
VINCENT LYONS: Yes my queen.
VICTORIA LYONS: I made sure he had nothing, so I took his style and look as well. He had to understand it was about ME now. So flash forward a few months, after months of torture, he came to serve at my side for a Coalition. I became this Coalition's Wretched Warqueen, but did they care? NO. They gave me even less respect than the old Headquarters did, and that damn Orianna Johnson wouldn’t leave me alone.
She growls, clearly triggered by her own words.
VICTORIA LYONS: So, now it’s PWE, and this company better give me the damn respect I deserve, or I will burn it all down and be queen of the ashes. I am the apex of all your fears. I am not afraid of the darkness, because I am the darkness. I am a lioness, an apex hunter and you all are going to get to know me very soon. I am not someone who plays nice, and the only people important to me are those who share my last name, and even then it’s only the ones who fall in line.
Licking her lips, she rubs her hands together and stares at the camera uncomfortably for a few seconds.
VICTORIA LYONS: The worst thing any of you can do is underestimate me. I fully intend on making you all bleed, making you suffer, just so I can hear your screams. It’s what helps me sleep at night. Your best bet would be to stay out of my way, as there is no winning when you cross me. You will come out the other side for the worse, and I will leave you with scars can’t be healed, scars that will tear apart your very well being.”
She takes a few steps back, closer to her brother and the darkness behind them.
VICTORIA LYONS: You have been warned PWE, so best beware because something wicked this way comes, and soon enough each and every one of you will…
She pauses just for a moment.
VICTORIA LYONS: HEAR ME ROAR.
She cackles, before winking to the camera, and tapping her brother on the shoulder signaling him to follow her back into the darkness behind them, a snippet of her theme plays as they disappear fully.
##Hey you, do you like me now?
Are you in love with somebody I was?
Hey you, do you see me 'round
And hate the person that I've become?
Hey you, do you like my style?
I stole it from somebody I killed
Hey you, do you like my smile?
I got it from the blood that I spilled##
AWARDS FOR SEASON ONE
We at PWE would like to recognize the following as members of the Season One roster who contributed fantastic roleplays, pushed themselves above and beyond, and put their time in to create our company in an image that is both positive and strong. They will be honored officially at The Upside Down, but here we can find their name. And their likeness.
CHAMPION OF THE SEASON - DAMIAN AYLA
MATCH OF THE SEASON - NATHANIEL CARTWRIGHT v DAMIAN AYLA
FEUD OF THE SEASON - LACHLAN KANE / ANGEL
MOST IMPROVED OF THE SEASON - CHELSEA SKYE
SHOCKING MOMENT OF THE SEASON - VHODKA BLACK DEFEATS DAMIAN AYLA
MALE WRESTLER OF THE SEASON - ALLEN CHANEY
FEMALE WRESTLER OF THE SEASON - TARA AYLA
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRO WRESTLING EXCELLENCE!
Darkness fills the screen, a velvety void of pure black that almost seems to swirl, forming vague shapes that may just be an optical illusion. There's a creak and a scrape – the grating sound of metal on metal shattering the ominous silence. Slow and heavy footsteps draw closer, echoing horribly before that eerie stillness takes over once again. A voice begins to speak, echoing strangely so that it seems to be coming from everywhere all at once.
? ? ?: A place like this is where it all began: in the darkness. In the beginning, the earth was formless and empty. Darkness was over the surface of the deep but there was a flicker of life deep within. Just a tiny flicker and the darkness hid it for so long that the flame went out, the spark becoming a dull ember – a hardened lump of blackest coal, blending so perfectly that it was forgotten in time. Just another rock. Another object to be used by such primitive hands.
The voice is raspy although almost strangely mellow. There's just a hint of a foreign accent. Russian, perhaps?
? ? ?: For so long, the forgotten lump was here, in shadows, doing what it was taught to do: be a tool, a thing to provide a necessary service and then be shuffled back to this empty place afterwards. It did not know that things could be different. It did not feel anything more than gratitude to be here in the land of opportunity. This tool? It did not know love. It did not know true passion. It knew nothing more than to be warmed in the spotlight just long enough to know warmth before being cast aside long enough to crave it again – it did not know that it had the power to create its own heat, that the flame of so long ago had been truth and not a myth. It understood only the singular purpose: endless cycles of use because this is the function of a tool. It does not want. It is not allowed such foolish things. It has a purpose, an assigned task and this should be enough.
There's a sound, a soft scrape before a spark appears. There's another and then a third before the lighter catches, a small flame blooming. The hand that holds the small piece of neon green plastic is massive, the flame jittering for a moment before steadying and then the hand lifts, touched to the wick of a small black candle. The circle of light grows, gleaming in the colorless eyes that peer out from soot-blackened sockets. Below that stubble-covered chin is a massive barrel chest, visible between the parted sides of a heavy leather doomsday cloak.
ENIGMA: And now, this place, it does not feel like prison as it once did. It is known intimately – a place we have been countless times before.
His thick fingers cup the votive, the flame dancing again before settling into a mesmerizing rise and fall that accompanies the cadence of his words.
ENIGMA: This last year, it has seen many changes. It has been fifteen months since the walls have been torn down, since the blinders have come off. The warmth, it is inside me now. I can feel it growing, steadily. It is hungry and it remembers the purpose, the job it once had. The thing that is different is that these lips have tasted the forbidden fruit of the promised land. The flame knows what it is to consume – to FEED. They say that first impressions are what matters, that the first ten seconds form the lasting image. I want this to be what you see when you close your eyes.
He leans forward, the candle dipping down towards the combat boots on his feet. A circle of flames fan out around him, dangerously close and then licking up the tails of the coat that pools against the floor because he's still hunched forward on that chair. A flash of a ghostly smile reveals his teeth in a predatory leer.
ENIGMA: Do you see? Do you understand now? When you think you have the answers, you do not – the questions have changed. They are evolving. What you think you know is a speck of dust in the eye of a hurricane – INSIGNIFICANT. I AM ENIGMA, THE MONSTER MACHINE, THE GEARS THAT CHURN ENDLESSLY INTO OBLIVION. I am everchanging. Everlasting. RELENTLESS.
His voice, although he doesn't seem to have raised it, is booming now, thunderous and ominous as the flames climb higher.
ENIGMA: It is time for a changing of the guard. It is time for growth, for rebirth. It is time for a reckoning and the paradigms are shifting like tectonic plates. I have watched from the darkness for too long. I have watched this business I love be perverted, be twisted up in a thousand ways – I am here to fix this. By fire be PURGED. You have been warned, Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE. You will not stand in the way of my pursuit of VICTORY. You cannot possibly.
The flames are all around him now, flickering around his arms like snakes as he surges to his feet.
ENIGMA: THE MONSTER MACHINE IS HERE... UNLEASHED AND UNFETTERED. HE IS FREED... AND HE IS HUNGRY!
He lunges at the camera, the last thing seen the wild flames dancing in his pale eyes, teeth bared in a snarl before the image tilted crazily, the flickering flames drawing closer, and closer until the camera slams into the floor. Cracks crawl across the screen, the flames a roaring inferno now, crackling and snapping so loud the audio distorts. Abruptly, darkness reclaims the scene and the sudden silence makes the preceding message far more ominous than it was probably intended to be.
.:. A child's voice softly sings .:.
.:. The innocence through the storm that is brewing in the far off distance .:.
A-tisket, a-tasket
A brown and yellow basket
I send a letter to my mommy
On the way I dropped it
“Outcasted, into the void.”
.:. Knelt in the dirt .:.
.:. Broken, beaten but then a light .:.
“Who’s there?”
I dropped it, I dropped it
Yes, on the way I dropped it
A little girlie picked it up
And put it in her pocket
.:. Illumination .:.
.:. Through the darkness, a light shines off a mirror .:.
“Go ahead, kill me.”
.:. The child. A mirror. .:.
.:. And the humming of that song .:.
“I will not hurt you, sister. For you are our guiding light.”
“Muri?”
“Time to go home.”
.:. Looking at that innocent face .:.
.:. What hell has she gone through with those eyes? .:.
“I’m no longer welcomed there. He cast me out.”
“You are not the first, sister. We have been waiting.”
.:. Bitterness .:.
.:. A sense that I’ve been stalked by more than just him .:.
“Waiting? For what?”
.:. Muri, her mirror .:.
.:. And the reflection she was fearing to see .:.
“You.”
.:. She forced her eyes to see .:.
.:. Beaten, but not dead. Broken, but will heal. The Fallen One, still alive .:.
“The Social Casualty” Ellie Quinn is shown standing in the kitchen of her downtown Chicago apartment, the PWE Victory Champion smirking as she grabs a bottle of Jim Beam and a whiskey glass from the counter, setting them atop the island where both the camera recording her and her championship are sat upon. Pouring herself a glass, Ellie takes a quick sip, looking into the camera as she puts the glass back down onto the island…until a loud bark is heard off-camera. Next to her, her service dog Markov is happily wagging her tail, tongue hanging out of the pocket pitbull’s mouth as Ellie pulls out a bag of dog treats, the champion tossing one into her pet’s mouth, turning her attention back to the camera as the pup lays at her feet.
ELLIE QUINN: Excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.
ELLIE QUINN: Let’s take a minute to talk about just how excellent I am, huh? After all, Season One of Pro Wrestling Excellence has come and gone, and the only champ left standing is the one that you’re looking at right now. Vhodka Black? Gone. Zoey Madigan-Star? Gone. And now, you’re all left with the excellence that is Ellie Quinn, the most prestigious champion that this company has ever had and will ever have. And now that I’ve brought some prestige not just to this gorgeous Victory Championship, but to this entire company, everyone and their brother’s crawling out of the woodwork to get a chance to take this title off my shoulders. Now, ain’t that something?
ELLIE QUINN: I mean, you have people from all over the country, all over the globe stepping through the doors trying to make their mark, trying to prove that they’re worthy of a shot at my title…and you know what, good luck to you. Charlie, Ophelia, go ahead, I’m sure that you two bozos know exactly what you need to do. Line them all up so I can go ahead and knock them all down. Because it’s like I said on Twitter the other day…one night in the champion’s spotlight will burn them all to the ground.
ELLIE QUINN: Because, let’s be honest with each other, folks: I’ve seen the resumes that these greenhorns are spouting, and the champ sure as hell isn’t impressed. And just so all of you at home aren’t left in the dark, let me do a nice, concise rundown of all of my supposed challengers here in Season Two. Uhh, let’s see…Noah Ortega. Looks like some high school dweeb who glued his dad’s pubes to his face to make a fake beard. Easy dub. Alright, next on the checklist…Madaline? Malachi? Oh…Maladi. Mala-dee? Mala-die? More like mala suerte, ‘cause if she steps in the ring, she’s going to wish she mala-did mala-die after I’m done beating her ass to a pulp.”
ELLIE QUINN: Alright, next victim…Enigma. A mystery, wrapped in a puzzle, wrapped in smoke and mirrors. Looks like Tarzan and fights like Jane. Next…Peach Dillinger, Mia Castillo, Sabina Sainte…what? This the J.O.B. Squad version of Thotyssey or something? Jesus wept, who even are these people!? Where did you get these people from? They won’t last a day in my kingdom. Victoria Lyons…yeah, she’s ‘lyon’ to herself if she thinks she’s got a chance against me. Lachlan Kane…been there, beat that. Enough said about that pasty dweeb.
ELLIE QUINN: ...This is really the best we could do? Really? I mean…I know a chunk of the roster just couldn’t handle the pressure of living up to the name ‘Excellence’, but this is ridiculous. What, did you guys order a roster from Wish or something? Hell, I’m pretty sure that stupid fucking cat could beat like half these people without even lifting a paw, what makes you think any of them stand a chance against championship-caliber talent? The short answer: They don’t. The long answer: They don’t stand a goddamn chance in that ring with me. I will run laps around them before they’re even out of the starting block. I’ve been the Culture Shock that this company needed for a reason. Without me? You people are fucking screwed. But then again, Charlie knows firsthand just exactly what I’m capable of.
ELLIE QUINN: You’re not throwing me to the wolves, here, you’re throwing me to the poodles. Poodles that my pet pitbull would tear to fucking shreds without a second thought. Wouldn’t you, girl? Hey Markov, if you think you can beat everyone’s ass, give me an ‘awooo’.
MARKOV: AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
ELLIE QUINN: Good girl.
Grabbing another treat, Ellie tosses it across the room, the sound of the pup’s paws skittering off the hardwood floor heard as she bolts into another room.
ELLIE QUINN: Now then…PWE, Charlie, Ophelia, I really, really hope you’re actually ready for what’s going to happen this season. Because this…
Stopping for a moment, Ellie grabs the PWE Victory Championship, slinging it over her shoulder and holding it against her, smirking into the camera.
ELLIE QUINN: This championship isn’t going anywhere. And who knows…maybe I’ll go after all of your other titles too…Ellie Two Belts, Ellie Three Belts, Ellie All Belts…you never know, huh? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very cute, very evil dog who needs to go shit in someone’s yard.
With that, the camera slowly fades to black on the sight of Ellie bringing the whiskey glass back up to her lips, finishing off the glass.
ELLIE QUINN © vs. CHELSEA SKYE
FIRST BLOOD MATCH
VICTORY CHAMPIONSHIP
BRANDON HENDRIX: Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE… the keyword in all that: EXCELLENCE. That's what I have strived for in my two year career, excellence. I've pushed myself to be that excellent to where I can throw my name within the names of the all time greats. And while the first two years of my career didn't go as planned, I still have, hopefully, a long road ahead of me, and that road brought me to PWE. I was scrolling through the wormhole known as Twitter, and following Jason Long's one thousand four hundred and thirtieth account, and I seen him speak on about a promotion called Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE, and I was curioused for a bit, but had my own obligations elsewhere. But, as time goes on, I have that itch to spread the name of Brandon Fucking Hendrix out there even more. So, I went to the website of the company and checked the roster section, and my interest hit an all time high. I got that voice in my head, telling me "do it". So, I made a phone call to my agent and they did the work, and now, Brandon Hendrix is EXCELLENCE personified.
BRANDON HENDRIX: Now, why am I here? What do I want? Two things: number one, I want the top tier championship this company has to offer. For two years, I've walked around with the chip on my shoulder of being brought in to become a World Champion that of which my mentor couldn't do, but living in the same error of ways that he was given hasn't brought that success. I'm going across the world in search for that dream, and that's where PWE comes in. I WANT THAT DREAM TO HAPPEN VERSUS THE BEST IN THE WORLD! I don't care who I got to beat now or from the first season! Bring back any one of them and I'd be GLAD to secure my name against them with a PHAT W! I'M PREPARED TO GO THE DISTANCE IN ORDER TO BECOME THE EXCELLENCE CHAMPION! I'M PREPARED TO GO THE DISTANCE AGAINST ANYONE ON THE CURRENT ROSTER THAT WANTS TO STOP ME OF MY DREAM! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE JASON LONG, ISSAK OTTO, SAVANNAH ANDREWS, I DON'T CARE! I WILL GO THROUGH EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IN ORDER TO BECOME THE NEW EXCELLENCE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!!"
He takes a breather, trying to not get too ahead of himself, at least not yet. He knows what his job is here, and that was to explain what he wanted from Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE. But, now, he wants the world to know his personal reason for joining PWE.
BRANDON HENDRIX: And number two: for the past few months, every promotion I go to, I… I hear them all. I never addressed this to the public before, but I hear all of you. I hear the fans that stand by my side and support me no matter what. The fans that chant "LET'S GO BRANDON!", the fans that I fight for. Then, we have the other side. The side of the most disloyal, bandwagoning fuckers that jump on anything that gets talked about but dips as soon as they fail one time, those that chant "DIE HENDRIX DIE" and "FUCK YOU BRANDON!". I don't fight for you. In fact, I fight in spite of you. I want you to boo me, because when I do win the EXCELLENCE Championship, and you try to jump back on my nuts with your "OH BRANDON WE KNEW YOU CAN DO IT!", I will GLADLY tell you to go back to your computer in your little cave in your parents basement and tweet that Brandon Hendrix told you all to go fuck yourselves! I'm absolutely tired of trying my best to be beloved by every single person. I'm tired of almost killing myself for everyone's approval. I'm tired of it affecting my personal life, watching my little girl worry that her dad is depressed because he cared about people's turncoat ways making thirty different opinions about him. I have a child and medical conditions to worry about, not the keyboard warriors fat fingering impression of me.
I'm on my Fuck Everybody Shit and I will be damned if I fall because of you. You won't see this hero fail, fall, or die trying no more because this is for ME! THIS IS FOR BRANDON. FUCKING. HENDRIX! YOUR DON! YOUR LEADER! THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING! I AM THAT MOTHERFUCKER AND YOU WILL ALL SEE THAT!
Bow down, to the real me.
Your lord and savior, Brandon Hendrix.
The reflection of a bright blue bit of pool water is visible as the video package begins to play. The screen pans upwards, or is it downwards? Not sure. Either way, a pink floatie enters from the bottom of the screen as the whistling tune of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerin begins to play jovial and calmly. The floatie wobbles up and down, from side to side, indicating a level of movement as it floats upwards.
🎜 HERE’S A LITTLE SONG A I WROTE,
YOU MIGHT WANT TO SING IT NOTE FOR NOTE.
DON’T WORRY 🎜
As the floatie floats upwards, we finally see the subject of the video as his little orange body wobbles up into the screen. It’s none other than Ollie Dorito, and he lays, culled up in a circle, sunglass-goggles attached to his forehead along with a lifejacket, kitty sized.
🎜BeEeEeeeeEE HAPPY🎜
The “Oooh”s of the song continue as the camera angle changes. Ollie doesn’t move, just continues to doze in the sun on the pool as the floatie continues to wobble on the water. As this is visible, the following graphic fades in over the pool. Someone splashes into the pool, during it, and he looks up at this with a hiss, before laying back down.
? : A year roughly set shape to PWE. The company thrived in old customs where only strong climbed to the summit. Predators made this company their home and transformed it into a bloody battleground. Violence was what most of the champions praised and strived for above all else. The very first champion, Damian Ayla, began shaping the company by breaking it in order to rebuild. He, and his wife, Tara Ayla, set the dangerous standard the rest of the company had to obey. If one was not basking in similar ideologies then they struggled finding any glory. It was a way of life for this company— where beasts could achieve. Even Vhodka Black, PWE's latest Excellence Champion, found glory through breaking. Albeit hers was more shattering the glass ceiling that had been present before her.
Now it is time to begin again because most of the titans that once ruled over Pro Wrestling Excellence have gone. Much like myths that children whisper to one another. Something for us to reflect on, but no longer fear. The godslayers, queens, kings and monsters are no longer ruling the hallowed halls. It is the beginning of a new status quo with who remains, and who enters next. New era of Pro Wrestling Excellence… There is now a power vacuum left in the wake with all the newcomers scrambling to fill such a gap. That is where the few returning have as much of a challenge as the new crop. Pressure for returning is almost more so. They have much more to lose. A simple formula has given the new more wiggle room to fail then correct. For the others it is like defending a name. I do not envy them. It is a long way to fall back down to the bottom.
Kanna Verger is highlighted while she paces slowly. Clad head to toe in all black ring gear. Her shoulders are covered by a long feather coat. Her head is high and eyes focused forward. The camera follows her every move. Whatever white room is nearly nondescript but appears much larger in scale than seen through the lens of the camera. She continues onward on her trek. She smiles from the corner of her mouth.
KANNA VERGER: This year for me has been nothing but preparations for this very moment. For me, much more of the same— training, waiting, and relishing the still silence before the war. It is like hunger gnawing away at my stomach while I wait for the first match. I’m more than ready. I am going to find the very center, the very top, and claim it as my own. For one very simple reason: I was born to find greatness. I was designed to be one of the apexes of the wrestling world. This opportunity in front of me will not be in vain. That Excellence Championship will be mine. Even when I have to go straight through Allen Chaney to obtain it…
The video completely fades but in the wake are two people sitting across from one another. Kanna Verger shifts in the seat while Micheal ‘lil Mickey’ Lemao is comfortably seated. They're in a typical interview room that’s cozy enough. She peers around them briefly before focusing back on their interviewer.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: So you’re pretty new to the big scene? Let me ask you this: what are your feelings on cats?
KANNA VERGER: I like them. Hm, there is something I’ve been wanting to ask someone here in PWE. How does one wrestle a cat?
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: You’re asking the wrong dude, but there are a few competitors here that can answer that for you. Our very own Chelsea Skye can offer you some pointers. Are you trying to face off against Ollie?
To this, Kanna shakes her head ‘no’. A stretch of silence greets them causing a small awkward smile from ‘Lil Mickey’. It’s almost as if he is dreading another ‘quiet’ competitor in PWE. She offers a smile mimicking his energy.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Ehem. There are a lot of people who claim that they are designed for wrestling. What sets you apart from the rest of them?
Kanna’s eyebrows arch upward. She hesitates to speak at first.
KANNA VERGER: I was born to become a wrestler.
Her straightforward answer streaks Michael’s face with confusion. There is a pause as he waits for her to continue. She doesn’t.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Been like a dream of yours to be a wrestler your whole life?
KANNA VERGER: Not a dream. A reality for me. My entire life has led me to the squared circle. No where else. For many there are always alternate paths and different choices for their lives. This is my only path.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: Pretty singular mindset but it shows a lot of determination.
Kanna hunches forward folding her hands.
KANNA VERGER Yes… That is why my eyes are not on progression unless it is to the Excellence Championship. Right now my target is Allen Chaney. He is… the last of his kind. Most of the others will not be returning to Pro Wrestling Excellence. Those who shaped this company have either moved on or are caught up with other affairs. He is where most of the new crop should be aiming for. It is not my place to speak for them though. As for me— What is it that they often say…
Kanna trails off ‘hmming’ with effort of trying to figure out whatever phrase had come to mind. She snaps with an oddly cheerful smile.
KANNA VERGER: Ah! Go big or go home!
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: That’s a pretty tall order. Allen Chaney is our number one contender for the Excellence Championship.
Her smile dims in exchange for a serious expression. All business once again.
KANNA VERGER: That is precisely why. For some, I’m sure climbing up the ladder is standard. Yet here? That is not the case. You merely have to have enough courage, audacity to put yourself in that proverbial room. None of them waited for someone else. I saw it countless times… Vhodka Black did not wait for Damian Ayla to allow her the chance at the Excellence Championship. She took it. I like that quality. Why should I restrain myself for others? To be polite? No.
Kanna shakes her head with an exhale.
KANNA VERGER: I do not like to wait, therefore, I refuse to limit myself to it.
MICHAEL "LIL MICKEY" LEMAO: That’s pretty bold of you. What makes you so sure?
KANNA VERGER: I will be someone that can not be ignored.
This causes a smirk to light up Michael’s face. No doubt it is a claim that people wanted to see fail or succeed. Kanna nods once and stands up. She ends the interview with a simple bow of her head, and a quiet ‘thank you.’
A red curtain covers the backside of a smaller stage. A buzz of hushed voices hovers over the crowd. Instead of opening, upon the curtains a projector's light casts. The film is black and white with figures of cut out. It centers around a feminine clown prancing among others who share similar appearances. A bunch of jesters huddling inside of a macabre scene. One of the jesters is stationed on top of a throne made of devil sticks and gorey baseball bats. He has a lopsided crown on his head and appears almost bored. They are all dancing around until their king stands up. He points out with a smirk.
In near blurs all the jesters vanish from their playground. The scene hones in on one particular clown. She is sporting long bubblegum curls and wearing all black. Unlike a few of the other jesters who pass her, this one is jaunty walking to an unheard beat. With a giggle The Clown begins to skip forward. She is cart-wheeling, spinning and jumping across the scene to another destination. With a spring, The Clown lands inside of a wrestling ring.
A kiss of blue mist blows into the face of a larger wrestler who instantly begins gagging! They desperately grab at their throat and collapse to the ground. The Clown holds up a sign that reads [ L A U G H] which the crowd does. She sways back and forth in the wrestling ring punching people off of the apron who attempt to climb inside.
One figure wearing an unusually large gold belt climbs into the ring. They knock The Clown straight out of the ring with a [ K.O ] sign coming down to dangle. Another sign, written poorly drops down in front of [ B O O ]! Just like before the crowd boos. The Champion struts around the ring replacing The Clown in beating off the various competitors.
The Champion laughs silently, very pleased with themselves for being undefeated!
From behind The Champion, a massive shadow figure begins to grow and music slowly begins as if it is being wound up. “Just imagine a land a trip to a wonderful land of candy and jam, and ice cream!” The Champion looks side to side with a question mark appearing over their head. Two red eyes open from shadow and a big, toothy grin spreads. Its smile opens wide for The Clown to leap out kicking The Champion down into the apron. From their waist goes flying the gold belt which The Clown seizes from the air. [ A P P L A U S E ]
It is strapped around The Clown’s waist as they strut onward. One hand on the hip as they walk through various arenas still holding onto that belt. Behind her are scenes of wrestling matches, some are bloody and one features an explosion of fireworks! None of it phases The Clown who is stepping to the beat of the song.
Suddenly two shadows pop up from behind The Clown dragging her down inside of a pit. Action bubbles pop up from the ground until one of the figures crawls out dragging the gold belt with them. A silly grave marker slams down. [ B O O ] The crowd boos until their voices drift off. Melancholy music replaces the old theme. There the scene ages with trees rotating through their life cycles and spider-webs spreading around.
The music fades out as The Clown climbs out of the ground dressed in a completely new color. Now they are sporting blue and are dusting themselves off. With an echoing laugh, their face comes close with a smile! [ A P P L A U S E ]
The audience is clapping wildly!
Just like that, the projector closes and the curtains begin to open up. On stage is an ornate box delicately painted with golds, reds, and purples. A string tugs once, twice, on the hatch on the top. It pops open with an explosion of glitter raining down! From the display comes an arm who appears to be searching for a hand to help them up. Finding no one, the woman raises up with both hands extended over her head. She pulls out a sign from behind her back that reads [ A P P L A U S E ]! Sybil Halter winks. With a graceful step she is climbing out of the box tossing the sign aside.
SYBIL HALTER: Oh, I just can’t wait to get started.
She hops off of the stage with a soft hum. Passing by the crowd suddenly it’s obvious that they are all made of mannequins dressed up and with crudely drawn smiles.
SYBIL HALTER: We’re all going to have so much fun!
Upon the stage the red curtains are slowly closing with massive, neon letters spelling out: SYBIL HALTER!
KASEY KASH vs. DICKIE WATSON
WOLFCREEK DEATHMATCH
KASEY KASH’S DREAM MATCH LIST
It was your basic, standard set-up for a promo - a nondescript room, dark coloured walls with some atmospheric lighting. It was the kind of set-up someone used when they wanted you to focus on them and what they had to say.
The sound of footsteps approaching echoed slightly in the room, before a darkly silhouetted figure entered the frame. They stayed in the shadowed area for a moment before stepping up into the light, revealing the inaugural Victory champion Lachlan Kane. Dressed in a finely tailored dark grey suit with a black dress shirt and no tie, he was the picture of professionalism as he assumed a confident stance with a slightly cocky smirk gracing his face.
“And the fun begins anew. A new season for PWE, new challenges, new opportunities. Lots of new faces as well, from what I’ve seen. Exciting times. I can’t tell you how much I’ve anticipated this day. Ever since PWE unexpectedly shuttered, I’ve been a little aimless. Sure, I’ve had my work and my family to keep me busy, but anyone who knows anything about me knows that wrestling runs through my veins. Sure, there were probably other companies that I could have signed contracts with, and I did consider it for a time. But somehow I knew deep down in my heart that PWE was gonna come back. And look where we are now.”
The smile on his face grew larger, as he rubbed his bearded chin. “Now, ever since the announcement back in April, I’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that I’m coming back to PWE. And come hell or high water, I’m coming back for my Victory championship no matter who thinks they’re gonna jump into my division and steal my thunder. But one thing I forgot to mention…I won’t be coming alone.”
The camera panned out slightly, and a second man walked into the frame to stand beside Lachlan. They both shared the same intense blue eyes, and stood a similar height and build. But while Lachlan had an easygoing, boyish charm about him, this man radiated aggression and intimidation with the way he scowled as he stared down the camera lens. He was dressed similarly to Lachlan, though his suit was coloured navy blue with a lighter blue dress shirt underneath. His arms came up to cross over his chest as Lachlan clapped a hand to his shoulder.
“Allow me to introduce my brother, Malachi. A former World champion, as well as a two-time tag champion. And that’s just here in the States in the past three years. Across the pond, he and I absolutely dominated the European independent scene, both as a team and individually. And while the two of us had a pretty epic butting of heads when Mal first arrived stateside…” The brothers traded amused smiles. “We’ve patched up our differences and we’re ready to shake this company to its very foundations. We’re not just coming to take part…”
The smirk on Malachi’s face turned vicious as his eyes narrowed at the camera. “We’re coming to take over.”
The cameras open on a man in a locker room, he’s seated on a bench, with his back turned and hoodie up, facing the lockers.
? ? ? : Since its resurgence in 2017, The Lyons Den has been sending its talent out across the wrestling scene. After the death of its founder Vincent Lyons Sr, his brothers Zachary and Raymond took over ownership, leaving Vincent's top student, a retired former pro wrestler Keevee Kaiser in charge of the talent.
He takes in a heavy breath, and continues.
? ? ?: First was Vincent Jr, who found a solid career for himself in a company called World Wrestling Headquarters. With the support of his sister Victoria, he became one of the top stars in WWH, His sister Victoria, after a couple years of being in his corner, laced up her own boots, but before she really got momentum of her own the company folded. She made an attempt in a new company, but the Wrestling Coalition fell before it even began.
Another short pause, as adjusts his shoulder some.
? ??: Around the same time Victoria laced her boots up, another female graduated from The Lyons Den. A young brash woman from the streets, with a criminal record to match. Sent there on some sort of probation program. Cleo Phillips would however make changes to her life and now is not only a top star in her company, but a speaker for less fortunate or troubled youth, she may not be a Lyons in name, but she has the heart of one.
Another heavy breath, and he almost seems humored as he speaks of the next graduate
? ? ?: And then there's the other Lyons. Alexander. What a piece of work this one is. Still he seems to have found his place among a bunch of misfits, and has become successful in his own right.
]
Another pause, this one a little bit longer.
? ? ?: Vincent. Victoria. Cleo. Alexander. All of them have had a taste of gold in one way or another, they all have held a championship of some sort, but now? Now it's my turn.
Its now, that he turns, and we can see his face inside of the hoodie.
? ? ?: My name is Eddie Lyons. My father Raymond was the middle of the three Lyons brothers. Our family school has a proven track record of producing talent that quickly become champions, and I am the next in line to represent for my family, and unlike my three cousins. I intend to do it correctly and with honor. Honor that the three of them have lost along the years.
He removes the hoodie, showing his short, reddish brown hair.
EDDIE LYONS: While my cousin Victoria is looking to spread her madness across Victory, I will be marking Conquest as MY territory. See, my cousins have been sullying the family name for too long. Victoria has gone complete schizo, and turned Vincent into her lap dog. Which is a shame, because Vincent is the true heir to the throne, and he’s become nothing more than a lapdog to his sister, and Alex? Well he doesn’t even go here and thank fuck for that. For those that have had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with him in the past, I’m sorry. The guy’s a fucking prick. I don’t know what to say.
Eddie shakes his head, clearly not a fan of this Alex fellow, or his cousins from the Victory brand.
EDDIE LYONS: : All I want to do is be the very best I can be. One thing I refuse to do, is cast aside my honor. I would rather lose with dignity and grace than win dishonorably because without honor, a victory means nothing. What remains true through any graduate of The Lyons Den is we are not to be underestimated, and we always try to stay as loyal as possible to our chosen hunting grounds. So remember this face, learn it. Know it, because very soon it will be the face of Conquest, and I will be your champion. Soon enough everyone will in fact…
Eddie pauses for a moment and grins, it’s time for the family catchphrase.
EDDIE LYONS: HEAR ME ROAR.
The cameras sits on Eddies face, staring intently at the camera, as the scene closes.
The view is grainy, showing a low concrete wall covered in graffiti. After a moment, it pans out to show that (veteran) Greek grappler Lex Collins. He sits on the ground, back against that wall. A pair of dingy and well-worn checkerboard Vans slip-ons are on his feet. He's wearing a red Hawaiian shirt open over a faded pair of tan cargo shorts. His hair hangs over one eye as he stares off into the distance for a moment before he lifts his hand to rake it back from his face. In the distance, cars can be heard roaring by.
LEX COLLINS: It's been a minute, hasn't it?
He pauses, cocking his head slightly.
LEX COLLINS: First impressions – shit. Hate doing these things. Never know what to say, never know what's already preceded me. I guess that's part of the thing, isn't it? The past, it's out there if anyone cares to look it up. I don't dwell on it as much as I used to. The last couple years've taught me that. Reliving those moments don't do me any good. I wanna know about the mistakes I made, all I gotta do is look in the mirror. Find the scars. Seek out the damage.
He flashes a bitter smile that fades pretty quickly.
LEX COLLINS: Not unique in that, I know. There's a certain kinda person who ends up thriving in this business. Nothing like a little bloodshed to remind you that you're alive, right? Come into a new place, out there in front of an unfamiliar crowd, working with guys you've never felt out before… it's a little daunting, even if you've been at this as long's I have.
Shaking his head, his dark eyes seem troubled for a moment before he chuckles softly.
LEX COLLINS: Not worried about it. No fear, though. Can't fear. Fear's the mind-killer. Look at this like another challenge, another who's-who of the best in the business, chompin' at the bit to make this new brand as successful as the first season was – we got our work cut out, don't we?
The smile that curves his lips this time is genuine, lighting up his eyes and transforming his face completely.
LEX COLLINS: The last couple years've been good to me. Real good – ironic since I damn near walked away from it all for good a few years back. Guess we all have those moments, don't we? Thought about it a lot back in those days. I think about it a lot less often now but I've never been able to walk away. This' in my blood, for better or worse. For years I called it an addiction, likened myself to a junkie in need of a fix. And maybe that's true. Maybe there's still a thing in me that's broken, that needs this unhealthy outlet. Maybe it's unfinished business that keeps me hanging on. The legacy, the story… it's still largely unwritten, even with all these pages that've been filled. Here's the thing: I'm not gonna drop accomplishments, list off all the names I've been in that ring with. I don't cart around the past like some purple heart on my sleeve 'cause it ain't some badge of honor. It's just a series of lessons learned, strung together into a couple years – over a decade in the big leagues now so goes without saying that I'm here to put in the work. Do what I do best.
He picks up a can of Pepsi and pops the tab, lifting it in a toast to the camera.
LEX COLLINS: You think you know me? You think you know my motivations? Nah. You really don't. Not anymore.
Collins shakes his head.
LEX COLLINS: I'm just a guy who knows how to fight – a guy who got damned good at being the last one standing. You think I'm full of shit? Think I'm washed up, playing some long game of misdirection here? Lace up. Get into the ring with me and find out.
He winks and tilts the can of soda to his lips, taking a leisurely swallow before he takes that parting shot, his voice ringing with challenge.
LEX COLLINS: You think you can beat me, be the first to define CONQUEST? Come get some, malakas. I'll be waiting.
The scenery fades in; inside of a high school gymnasium; there is a small audience on the rafters and filling the chairs that surround the ring that is set up in the center of the ring… there are some interference lines going vertically down the screen, and the year is shown: 2000. The camera pans throughout the small audience giving it the illusion of grandeur, and the audience murmurs amongst themselves until the music begins to play which causes them to applaud as the announcer’s is heard through the speakers making the announcement of the competitor.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, on her way to the ring! TARA!
The girl steps out from behind the curtains with her hair streaked with various shades of black and blue, as she bursts into a stride on her way toward the ring to the excitement buzzing amongst the crowd. The clip fades out and begins to shuffle through various clips of Tara throughout the years, showcasing her talent… Her speed, acrobatic, and luchadora style; as the years passed, it transitioned to her showcasing her technical and submission prowse with being able to wear her opponents down and lock her opponents with various submission holds that would result in her becoming more dangerous. Her journey in the XHF where she would earn a world renown name as the first woman to win the X*Crown, the first and only woman to hold their coveted World Championship; her time in Japan where she excelled further.
Every title she had the honor of holding overhead is showcased during this time whilst the years continue to pass, and pass, and pass until…
REPORTER: Tara has announced her retirement from in-ring competition…
The voice begins overlapping with various news sources that have people discussing the retirement of Tara Fenix, and the legacy that she was leaving behind. The images shuffle variously through all of the titles that Tara has held, and she is currently holding high overhead while the news reporters’ voices fade and a more haunting voice is heard.
VOICE: Some people who should not have been forgotten, were lost…
The screen goes black.
VOICE: History became legend… Legend became myth. And for five long years, she passed out of all knowledge. Until when chance came…
The screen flashes and shows Tara’s bright blue eyes looking directly into the lens. The screen brightens and the commentator can be heard screaming with sheer excitement in the background…
COMMENTATOR: She’s back! Tara is back!
The clips play through again to show Tara returning back to the ring… She appears different than she was when she retired: she looks much stronger, she moves much faster, and better precision, as she dominates the challengers placed in front of her and quickly adds several more titles to her accolades. Tara’s voice is heard as a voiceover.
TARA DOCHERTY: It must kill you to know that you can hold every title in this industry, from any company, but the world still does not care about you because they are too busy…talking…about…me.
The montage continues to play with Tara appearing larger than life; it was her way, and her mentality… She had a sense that she was above every company. She was not meant to be in one company; she wanted something more. She wanted to spread her wings and soar throughout the industry and remind everybody why she proclaims herself as the greatest in the ring, and she never had any problem with showing it.
REPORTER: It has been confirmed! Tara is pregnant!
The overlapping voices are all buzzing about Tara’s pregnancy that brings a stall to her rejuvenated career; Tara is forced to the sidelines. The imagery shifts yet again, and in the upper right hand corner of the screen is unveiled as Hartford, Connecticut. A bright, sunny day; not a cloud in the sky. Animals running to and fro in the background can be seen as they play amongst themselves, but the camera itself is set up atop the deck of the home with Tara sitting front and center. There is a mild look of discomfort expressed clearly on her face as she is talking, seemingly answering a question that was relayed to her before the scenery faded in.
TARA DOCHERTY: My legacy… is everything. I have had people ask me time after time after time, what else do I have to accomplish? I have acquired a great number of titles at every company that I have been to, I have earned the reputation that my name brings; so it is a question that I even ask myself… What else do I have to accomplish? When people forgot my name, that was when I knew it was time to come back and remind them who I am, and what it is that I am capable of doing, but no matter what I have done in this industry, there are still those people that choose to mock me, and choose to ask me: “Who are you?” Who am I? When I thought and believed that people would sing my name well beyond retirement, and then people forgot; I realized that I had not done enough. I intend to make sure that people do not make that mistake again… Do not make the mistake of forgetting my name.
Tara has the traditional Docherty smirk as she cocks her head to the side.
TARA DOCHERTY: What do I have left to accomplish? What drives me? Competition. Competition is my driving factor; it has, and it always will be. I need to know that I am the best at what I do, and that is what I am always going to strive for. And make no mistake: PWE has some of the best competition in the world. What am I going to do? Transcend. It is not enough for me to be at the top of one company; I have already told the champion that my name draws more attention than hers, and I am not even in a state to compete… I have told people that my name draws more attention, and despite my condition, I am still receiving offers from companies wanting to see me return to the ring in November under their brand, and while there is a number of people that I need to cross off my list…I could not see myself going anywhere except for a true opportunity where excellence is its key trait. A trait that I have personified. In my current state, it is pretty obvious that I cannot step into the ring, but I am still sitting in front of all of you today because I want to put…all of you…on notice. I will be returning to the ring under the PWE banner, and I will be coming for everything! I want everybody to cherish their time… I want everybody to climb their way to the top and hold on for dear life, because when I return to the ring: I am going to show you why I am the greatest. When I do return to the ring…I am coming to expand my legacy, and there is no one in the back that is going to be able to stop me.
She leans back in her seat and licks her lips; she shrugs one of her shoulders and cocks her head again to the side.
TARA DOCHERTY: Count your days.
The scene fades out.
Somewhere deep in what seems to be a boiler room a single lightbulb sways back and forth. A shrouded figure steps into the frame. A slight hunch to his shoulders, head facing down. Without looking up an almost mechanical voice echoes.
MAN: For far too long, the weak have paraded around PWE. They have all spoken of the greatest highs that they will all attain. Surely none of them realize what is actually in store for them.
The man rocks slightly back and forth.
MAN: Overlooked and set aside like some sort of leper. The greatest trick the Devil played was convincing the world he didn’t exist. He does. And I am him.
The shrouded man pulls off his hood and standing there is none other than….
Lewis Chad Pinkston.
A dopey smile on his face and he can hardly contain his laughter.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Man I almost had you didn’t I? All of your dumbasses thought… ‘Ohhh who’s this creepy emo, clearly never been laid guy?’, turns out all you need is one of these app thingys to have a creepy voice.
Lewis holds out his phone and shows the screen.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Look, I can sound like Elmo.
With a few taps on the screen Lewis holds it to his mouth.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: (Sounding exactly like Elmo) Ahhh fuck. I can’t wait to get home and rail my gorgeous wife!
He pulls the phone away and smiles some more while putting his phone away.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: That’s what separates me from all of you. You have to look at the absurdity of everything. Dead people walking around, cults on every corner like they are trying to sell you a mixtape, thots….. oh so many thots. You have to embrace what is different. That’s ME! Since the day I set foot in PWE over a year ago, IT'S BEEN ME! No matter what my record says, or how few maneuvers I know in the ring. All anyone has talked about…. IS ME!
Lewis waves towards the camera to follow him as they walk out of the boiler room and into a hallway backstage somewhere. He leans up on the wall and points towards an old PPV poster on the wall.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: See that right there? PWE’s first PPV…. And who’s pretty mug is the first one you see? Ope…. That’s me. All anyone has talked about here since day one is LCP. Season two isn't going to be any different. I’ve got grand aspirations. I’ve taken this time off to become quite RESOURCEFUL. I’ve worked on becoming a better HUMAN. I’ve set my goals to align with what I WANT. Funny. The joke of the business is about to become one you won’t forget.
Suddenly Lewis’ expression changes, from a jovial grin to a deep snarl. The camera spins around to see none other than DANE PRESTON walking side by side with Ophelia and Charlie.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Fuck.
Lewis runs up behind the trio and taps Charlie on the shoulder. She either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. Then Lewis taps Ophelia and once again his tapping goes unnoticed.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: AHEM!!!
The three of them stop as Dane turns around he hangs his head and begins to laugh. Charlie audibly sighs, as Ophelia rubs the corner of her eyes with her hand.
OPHELIA KNIGHT: Yes Lewis. How can we help you?
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Ho—-How—- How can you help me? Seriously? That’s the question? As if you don’t——
CHARLIE JONES: Excuse me, but we are very busy right now.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Knock it off Charlie. He’s married and has a girlfriend, he doesn’t need a lap dog too. Keep dreaming.
CHARLIE JONES: You insolent little——-
DANE PRESTON: Ah don’t let the little guy get you all flustered. He’s not even worth it. I tried to be friendly and cordial but he just can’t have someone shine more than himself. He’s only upset that I’m here. Isn’t that right, bitch?
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Obviously! I have been telling everyone that I rid PWE of the herpes of the wrestling industry, aka YOU, from these hallowed halls.
DANE PRESTON: Well you’ve failed where so many others have as well. Sorry, I’m not sorry. And to take a trick from your book, Sorry Lewis I ran out of time maybe next week you can be apart of the Summer Of Dane.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Really going to let the herpes thing stick?
DANE PRESTON: I’ve been called worse, but that’s not the point.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Okay pea brain…. What is the point?
DANE PRESTON: What are you going to do about it?
Dane gets face to face with Lewis and jams a finger in the center of Lewis’ chest. Lewis looks around as Charlie and Ophelia stand there with puzzled looks on their faces. Lewis curls his bottom lip and slowly removes Dane's finger from his chest. Takes a deep breath and turns to walk away.
DANE PRESTON: That’s what I figured. All talk from the lil bitch.
Lewis stops and slowly turns around.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Fight me.
All three of them look confused before Ophelia speaks first.
OPHELIA KNIGHT: I don’t think that….
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Fight me you fucking coward.
Then Charlie chimes one
CHARLIE JONES: Lewis don’t do this to yourself.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Fight me you mouth breathing moron.
Dane looks at the two women and then back to Lewis.
DANE PRESTON: Listen kid. I would, oh boy would I love to right now but I’m booked up. How about I pencil you in for later in the summer?
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Yeah I figured we couldn’t have some other companies' TV champion get their ass cheeks clapped on PWE TV.
DANE PRESTON: No, you're not worth my time. There’s a long list of people before you. You’ll get your chance.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Right. Just not today. Seems like you’re a little scared.
DANE PRESTON: Like I said… l’m already boo——
Lewis reaches back and slaps the face of Dane.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Fight me!
Dane rubs his cheek for a moment.
DANE PRESTON: Got a little pep in your step today huh? How about this….
Dane looks over to Charlie and Ophelia. They both avert their eyes for a moment. Dane lunges at Lewis and grabs him by the throat and pins him against the wall.
DANE PRESTON: Not today.
Lewis is gasping for air as his face is turning bright red but manages to speak even if for only a moment.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: Bitch.
Dane smirks and tosses Lewis to the ground. As Lewis slides back from Dane, Lewis shakes his head. Dane begins to walk towards Charlie and Ophelia. He speaks just loud enough for Lewis to hear.
DANE PRESTON: Book the match. That boy needs a lesson in respect.
The three of them walk away and out of the camera’s sight. Lewis whistles for the camera to come closer. His voice is hoarse but he has a smile on his face.
LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON: What did I tell you, huh? RESOURCEFUL.
The camera fades as Lewis runs his neck and coughs a bit from the encounter.
DANE PRESTON vs. LEWIS CHAD PINKSTON
REGULAR BOUT
THE BITCH LIST MATCH
We open up on the streets just outside of Disney World, people passing every which way. We see this play out for a few seconds, various and random faces fill the area, none of which even bother to look at the camera. Finally, one man does. He doesn’t just look at it, but looks directly into the lens, walking towards it. As he gets closer, he begins to look more and more familiar. He looks a little older, his hair a little longer, but the smile is unmistakable. For some in PWE, it doesn’t look very familiar at all. Issak Otto walks by the camera with a stack of papers pressed against his chest and a stapler in his right hand, waving at everyone he could. The smile on his face told the entire story. He was more than excited to be here.
ISSAK OTTO: Humility has become a rarity in this industry. - That was the least thing I said on camera.
A stranger headed towards him on the other side of the street, of course minding his own business. Issak was not about to let that happen, nor allow him to pass by without flashing him a smile. Issak went a step further, putting out his hand a high-fiving the stranger with an abundance of enthusiasm.
ISSAK OTTO: Truth be told, I had made a bit of a name for myself. Focusing upon my goals and working hard to get there. I stayed true to my morals each and every time, didn't stray, which is something to be said. You could look around you and easily find a multitude of people who have climbed the ladder, but could you find ones that had done so without purposefully stepping upon the heads of others? Most people are able to list off their championship wins as their accomplishments, and I have some of my own that I'm VERY proud of, but I'm most proud of being able to do it while remaining humble.
He came upon a telephone pole, which promoted him to take the top piece of paper, stapling it to the large wooden pole.
ISSAK OTTO: I had a point then and I have a point now. It’s just now, I’m coming from a completely different point in my life. I moved away from the wrestling world, settled down with someone I thought I would spend the rest of my life with, tried for a family. In the end, it’s for the best that it didn’t work out, but something inside always told me to keep the dream alive. From my couch I got to watch as PWE held its first season, and I thought maybe one day I’d make my way back to the business, back to the ring. It’s only fitting that now I’ve returned, and so is Professional Wrestling Excellence!
Otto stopped walking for a moment, looking as if he was about to faint.
ISSAK OTTO: My head is spinning.
And he more than likely wasn't exaggerating, as he began to wobble. Luckily, he was able to check himself, shaking his head from side to side before his usual smile returned.
ISSAK OTTO: Anyone that knows me and where I’ve been, what I stand for, knows that I’ve typically been an international wrestler for the majority of my career. Japan, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, Scotland, England, all over the world. I even have a rather awesome spinning fisherman suplex that I aptly named after what a traveling international technical wrestler I’ve been! It’s my passion! I even won the CWC International Championship when it was around, and I had the honor of specifically representing the international companies as their champion.
He nodded his head up and down, easily showing just how proud he was of that fact. He had reached yet another telephone pole, and stapled a piece of paper to this one as well. Still, the camera was unable to see what was written.
ISSAK OTTO: Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions. In coming back to the ring, one of my goals this time around was to make it to the United States, and work just as hard on American soil as I have been outside of it. Too long The Class Act has been considered an international star, now I want to make my name carry weight all over the WORLD. Another item on the agenda was to return to my roots, per say. I’ve been in linked companies for quite some time, it made it easy to travel from one ring to another. I haven’t been in a company so…competitive…since the very first company I signed with all the way back when I was two days shy of eighteen years old. I was able to start my journey there, start a career, and I know I can do it again. I’m going to prove that I can make it in any and every wrestling ring this life has to offer. Issak Otto will be there!
A third telephone pole, and just as you more than likely guessed, the same action was repeated. The camera took a second, staying behind as Issak moved on. It tried to get closer to the paper upon the telephone pole, before Issak caught it.
ISSAK OTTO: Oh! Silly me! You're probably wondering what all these flyers are for, right? I can't believe I forgot to invite you!
He smacked himself in the forehead, the explanation of the flyers completely slipping his mind until this very moment.
ISSAK OTTO: Back in JCP, Evolution ACM, and even PWNeo, within my first couple of matches I held a friendship meetup! Where people from around the area, and of course the company we work for, were invited to a FUN event for friends! This time, we're doing rootbeer floats, with all sorts of fun and exciting games. All of PWE is invited, of course! It’s also a fun way to make new and everlasting friends! I’ve seen the names announced for this season of PWE and I’ve never had the pleasure I’ve meeting the majority of them. It could be both good and bad though. It just means I have the opportunity to make new friends! Of course, they could be mean and blow me off, but I just have to hope they are as into making new friends as I am! Make sure to bring your favorite game!
He threw his hands into the air, shouting to the sky, before rushing off to hand out yet another flyer to a passerby. Issak had the tendency of getting overexcited, but really, he didn't know any other way.
ISSAK OTTO: PWE had a very successful first season, and they’ve got a lot to live up to heading into season number two. I’ve heard that they don’t have some of their champions returning, and that’s a bit of a letdown. Some would say they’re already starting out their season with a bit of a bump, but I say it only gives them more opportunities! There’s no doubt they’ll do something fun and innovative to make sure there is a contender for the vacant belts, and I can’t wait to be apart of it! Furthermore, you have various returning characters with history, like the battle of the funny men! Boy oh boy! I can’t wait!
Issak rushes off camera with his stack of invites, likely to continue giving them out to various people on the street, before we fade.
Static crackles in neon green, obscuring the feed with flashes of indistinguishable faces, before stopping on one. It’s unfamiliar, a young woman with straight black hair to her shoulders, her lips twisted in a barely-there smirk. Pixelated green goo oozes over the screen, replacing the face with a digitized skull.
The woman’s face returns, lips and nose hidden behind a green half-mask. Another crackle of static and the mask is gone. Emerald string lights twinkle behind her, offering the atmosphere of Halloween on a budget. Matching lava lamps bubble in the background, flanking her like a pair of goal posts.
MALADI: Hi there, Pweeners.
She speaks with phony affability, a performer on a stage.
MALADI: Introductions are always, so awkward, am I right?
The question is rhetorical, left to hang in the air just long enough for the viewer to agree that yes, of course she’s right.
MALADI: Went back and forth on the ninja mask, but if baby’s speaking her first words to Pweeniverse, it wouldn’t help to have them muffled. But look at me, I’m rambling. First promo nerves. Hello, howdy, how are you?
This greeting is punctuated with a wave, her hand not rising over her head, but manically twisting at shoulder level.
MALADI: I’m Maladi. One of season two’s fresh faces. Maybe even your future favorite…
She smiles at the thought, but disregards it immediately, teeth clinching as she sucks in air.
MALADI: Or maybe not. You guys know how these things go. I come in, rip-roaring about how I’m going to beat everyone, take every title, tear down or corrupt all your idols. Ruin the life of your favorite wrestler and the life of you, the viewer, by proxy. A tweetable snippet of all my grandiose plans in thirty-to-sixty seconds. Expectations set, seeds planted, gauntlets thrown.
Another crackle of static, the mask is back, then gone again with another crackle.
MALADI: But hey, why not play it by ear? A gal comes in all affably evil to her first ever professional wrestling job, she wants to keep her options open. Blood feuds, championships, giant piles of money - it’s 2022 and a woman really can have it all. All she’s gotta do is kick some heads, knee some faces, maybe spit a little mist. Build a pile of rotting corpses and stick a throne on top of it. Thus begins an empire, or a topple from the top of a corpse pile. Terribly unstable for throne-placing, corpses are.
She shrugs.
Maladi: Welcome to season two, Pweeners. Pull up a chair, shake the crumbs out of your neckbeard and pour yourself a nice, tall Cyanide Smoothie. Your Favorite Nightmare is here, and you’re all about to wake up with X’s for eyes. Best you’ll ever look.
Static crackles, the mask reappears. This time it doesn’t vanish, leaving Maladi to pull it free so she can leave her parting words.
Maladi: The infection begins.
The scenery fades in unveiling someone who, while not a stranger to PWE, is one of the latest signees to season two of the company: Wraith. The second generation superstar, Sabin Spencer, the son of Tara Docherty better known to the industry as Tara Fenix, was hunched forward with his hands holding the edge of the sink while glaring at himself in the mirror. He is not in his traditional wrestling attire that the world recognizes him in. There is no face paint, nothing that is hiding the human kid from being himself. His bright blue eyes protrude through as he cocks his head to the side.
SABIN: Pro Wrestling Excellence…
He mutters. He lets out a light snort, but doesn’t break his concentration.
SABIN: The last time that you saw me, I was a mere boy that was looking to make a name for myself… I was a mere boy that wanted to live up to the expectations that Tláa had for me… that everybody had for me. Everybody knew Tláa. Everybody knew what she was capable of doing, but everybody questioned whether I would live up to her standards. Could her firstborn be just as great? Could he be…greater?
The question escapes from his lips along with a snarl. His lips then curl into a grin momentarily as he tilts his head the other direction, and the camera zooms in on the mirror which begins to transition to a replay from earlier in the year. Sabin…rather… Wraith had Ulf Hednir, a superstar in the IWF, and formerly of PWV, locked in the Gogoplata in the center of the ring. The replay did not waste any time in showing Ulf Hednir tapping out, and Sabin being able to stand atop the second turnbuckle with his newly acquired championship held high over his head.
SABIN: The youngest champion…in history.
His voice was filled with pride in his accomplishment.
SABIN: Less than one year of experience in the industry, and I was able to conquer giants… I was able to conquer LEGENDS!
The camera pans back out to show Sabin still gazing into the mirror.
SABIN: I would like to believe that I have surpassed every expectation that people had of me. I would like to say that in my short time in the ring, I have already proven that I am going to be– that I am– a big deal. However, there are some matters that have not yet been closed…
He licks his lips, and the camera zooms in a second time against the mirror: we return to the fateful night… January 17, 2022… Victory VIII…Sabin is stepping into the ring with Ernie Spencer, Vhodka Black, Nathaniel Dixon, Chris Page, and Allen Chaney.
The clip plays, showing the opening moments in which the two that battled to a draw during Victory VII only to be awarded the second chance on this night… The clip continues to showcase the match that would leave the six combatants exhausted at the end of the night, but Vhodka Black would be the one standing with her arm raised as the number one contender for the belt this time.
We pull back from the mirror yet again, and Sabin is still standing there, but there is something else evident on the mirror this time; as if you were looking at a ghost. The dark eyes of Wraith are there, and its lips curl into a mischievous grin… That Docherty smirk is absent from Sabin’s face this time, as he does look down with dismay written clearly across his face. He scrunches his face several times with anger which only looks to amuse the entity joining him in the mirror.
SABIN: When I signed to come to PWE for the Excellence Invitational, I had my eyes set on one thing: BECOMING the Excellence Champion! While I hold no grudge against Vhodka for her victory, because she did…exactly…what every single one of us were trying to do. She just did it better. It was her night to walk out as the number one contender, and it was her night to walk out as the Excellence Champion, but– it meant that I had matters that I needed to close… I needed to return to the PWE and make good on my promise. I needed to not come here for an invitation; I needed to take the opportunity when it was presented to me and sign my name to a contract to come here and do what I sought out to do!
His voice is filled with determination. His hands tremble as he continues to hold the edge of the sink, and with every word that comes with more determination, the eyes of the entity glow a little bit brighter.
SABIN: There is more to it… What do I do in the ring? What do I accomplish by stepping into the ring? Most of us get into this business because we have this–
Sabin licks his lips and tilts his head back and forth as if to ponder for the correct word.
SABIN: –desire to hurt people. This is a job that permits us to do exactly that… Most of us have that desire to stand amongst our peers and have all of them give nothing but respect to our name. I have those same desires. I have those same ambitions. Once upon a time, I stood across from a monster that did not care for titles; he did not care for amounting to anything in this industry. The only thing that he cared about was hurting people, and it is a desire that I can fully comprehend, however… I told him that he was going about it the wrong way. He was going after people in order to hurt them, all because he did not want a title. I told him that if he truly wanted to hurt people, if he truly wanted to be the monster to do these things to people… he needed the title… Because what does that title do? What does that title bring?
He takes a momentary pause. The entity in the mirror is tapping its finger playfully against its chin while contemplating the answer for itself; this monster was the side of Sabin that did long to just hurt people, the monster that snapped someone’s arm simply because it was instructed of it.
SABIN: Like moths to the flame. Everybody is going to line up for a chance to fight you! You are no longer going to have to hunt for your next prey; your prey is going to come to you! But I do not just enter the ring in hopes of being able to hurt the people that stand across from me; I want everybody to put up a fight. I want the best of the fighters to be standing across from me, because what fun is it if someone is unable to fight back? If someone does not fight back? I want them to come to me with their pride… I want them to come to me with every thought that they could conquer the monster. I want them to be on their highest high, feeling unstoppable…just so they can crumble, and realize that they were never going to defeat me. That is what the monster failed to see, but that is what I took advantage of while I was the champion, and it is what I will take advantage of again when I become the Excellence Champion… You will all form a line, and one by one, I will conquer each and every one of you, while the crowd chants to you… You cannot kill me. A simple message that I have grown to love, and a simple message that these fans enjoy reminding everybody who stands across from me.
Sabin straightens his posture and takes a step back away from the mirror, but keeps his eyes fixated upon himself.
SABIN: Soon.
The lights flicker momentarily, as if the power were going out in the middle of an awful thunderstorm, and as the natural light from the outside illuminates the room you can see that Sabin and Wraith are one in the same; that mischievous grin still on its face, but it is truly only there for a mere glimpse. The lights do return to normal, and Sabin stands while the scene fades out.
Last time we saw Allen he looked very sick and sweatier than usual. Now he looked relatively alright. Maybe a little less chubby in the face and a less pink complexion. We are in his Midwest Cat Dad apartment. It’s been a while. There used to be a well stocked bar in this shot whenever Allen filmed at his place but that has been replaced by a Peloton exercise bike.
ALLEN CHANEY: Apparently I, the star of this show, need to reintroduce myself. Pfft. PFFFFFFFT. Fine. I get paid for this right? Rent is due and I can’t pay it in whatever the fuck ‘Blood Money’ is no matter how many times I show my landlord my ‘I’m a Real Wrestleboi’ card that means I can exist in the twitter alternate reality where we all have millions of dollars and tweet out professional well-lit studio photographs of ourselves saying things like ‘maybe one day I’ll give modelling a try LOL’.
Allen takes a moment to reorient himself before he goes off on a tangent.
ALLEN CHANEY: I’m sure everyone here is going to hear from all sorts of folks who are going to tell you how big their dicks are and how them being here is a super huge deal because of how important they were in some other company I haven’t heard of and all of those people can line up and take turns trying to find and kiss the fattest part of my ass. Hi. I’m Allen. Earlier today I was getting coffee and a danish and an unattended child saw me take a sip of coffee then heard me angrily say ‘oh you hot fucking cunt’ and I didn’t know what to do so I gave him 5 dollars and I’m still trying to figure out why I thought that was what I was supposed to do. My boss and PWE management have recently advised that I need to present myself as more of a likable everyman. I don’t know if I’m doing that or not but as a failsafe, Here is my cat.
Allen leans down and picks up Bill and holds him up for the camera to see. Chaney knows what the people want. Bill is very cute but is curious as to why his nap has been disturbed. Allen sets him back down.
ALLEN CHANEY: In a lot of ways I am a much different guy than I was at the beginning of season one. I’ve been described in the past as ‘violent’, ‘an asshole’, ‘devastatingly handsome’ and I’d like to think that all of those are still true. I mean I’m making an effort to be a nicer guy but ‘asshole’ is really something deep down in your soul. To all of you newcomers… all you really need to know about me is there was a big ass rumble to determine the number one contender for the Excellence Championship. The final six were Vincent Black, Shawn Warstein, Nathaniel Cartwright, Nathaniel Dixon, Adrien Cochrane, and Me. Smart money was on ANY Of those other five names winning that match. Then I won. I’ve made a career out of finding the spots where people tell me I don’t belong and then standing there and daring motherfuckers to try and move me. I go where the fight is and if there isn’t any fight to be found I will make one. I will swim with the sharks in a bloody meat wetsuit because punching sharks is what gets my dick hard.
Allen holds up his fist and forearm to symbolize this shark-based turgidity.
ALLEN CHANEY: PWE is the House that Allen Chaney built and season two will be when everyone realizes that it’s the nicest house on the street. Next time Denzel Porter does some big year-end list I want ‘PWE’ all over that motherfucker. I know it seems like I was gatekeeping from outsiders last time but in season 2? I want the biggest and brightest stars from every company to show up and make their presence known. Then I want to powerbomb them so hard their lungs shoot out their asshole. It’s my way of saying ‘welcome’.
Allen offers a big thumbs up.
ALLEN CHANEY: I have a singular objective and anyone in the way of it is going to wish that they weren’t. It’s really that simple. The Excellence Championship. I’ve had all this time to wait and stew and prepare and… yeah. I’ll get into the specifics when I’m ready to but uh…hmm…
Allen can’t quite figure out how to proceed.
ALLEN CHANEY: Here is Bill again.
Allen once again holds up Bill who is getting a little annoyed.
ALLEN CHANEY: I’ve got a lot more to say but I’m gonna save it for now. I’ve got a whole-ass sitcom set to get ready and I have to feed the cat.
Bill’s annoyance subsides and his ears perk up at the mention of the word ‘feed’ which is one of the few words he knows.
ALLEN CHANEY: Oh right, Set-Up and Punchline or whatever. I’ll do it the right way soon. Lots of production to do… you’ll see.
Allen reaches out and turns off the camera.
With the feed slowly transitioning into a darkened room, the spotlights within this studio setting are quick to come to life and bring some clear visuals to what we can see, a large brightened white backdrop and a lounge chair placed right in the middle. From there, a figure walks into frame of the panoramic shot of the set and steps closer towards the lounge chair, taking a seat as the frame switches to a more close up view of the figure, and showing that figure to have been Pro Wrestling EXCELLENCE’s newest signing, Jason Long, dressed up to the nines in the finest tailored Italian dark suit. The proclaimed Last Breathing Mercenary crossed his right leg over his left leg, bringing his elbow right down onto the arm of the chair and resting his chin down onto his hand, a slight smile resting along his lips.
JASON LONG: Hello there.
A small chuckle soon came after, shaking his head lightly.
JASON LONG: I feel like between myself and you, the viewers, we don’t know one another too much. A simple look around and you’d understand that this is brand new ground for me, this is something new that I’ve never been involved with. This is your first time ever taking a glimpse at me, isn’t it? I could begin to act so surprised that there’s people out there that don’t even know me, but that’s fine, because I’m not as big of a star as I used to put myself out there to be at one stage.
As he began to adjust himself within his seat, Jason reached over for the bottle of cider that was placed down onto the small table right beside him, emptying out it’s contents right into the glass that was also placed down onto that same small table for him.
JASON LONG: It’s been a hard couple of months for me lately with how things have been, you know? With how I’ve taken quite the personal decline at the start of the year and then also taking that decline within my whole career as well—it’s been a lot to take in, but I can just look at some of the positives that I’ve achieved along the way, eh? Won some titles elsewhere, bagged myself a new girl that I then engaged and married within a couple of months because she’s made me feel special in a way that I can’t even put to words, and my mental health has begun to slowly rise up a little bit more. There might be days that I’ll fall down a bit but I’ve learned to pick myself up when it matters the most.
Jason raised the pint glass up in a ‘cheers’ motion before taking a gulp out of the pint, then placing it down onto the table right beside him and letting out that soothing ‘ahh’ sound from his lips.
JASON LONG: And throughout those little good things that I’ve done throughout the rough patch in my twenty-fourth year of living, I gained a place here in Pro Wrestling Excellence. After all, I lost a job at this old promotion that I was in—and it made me realise later on afterward that everything that I gave them was never truly worth anything and I was burning myself out personally just so I could continue to achieve what they wanted and never really what I had wanted. The more that I continued to realise that, the more it made me realise that being there shut some doors that I wanted to step through. Being someone that tried to be an honourable man, it created barriers that wouldn’t let me cross certain paths and made enemies with people that I’ve never truly met before in person and spoke with. Once the allegations came clear and they had closed their doors, it felt like those barriers were finally lifted and people finally started accepting me with open arms.
A slight smirk soon grew along Jason’s lips.
JASON LONG: With those doors open, I finally realised that not everything needed to be so demanding like how they were and that’s realistically what brought me here to Pro Wrestling Excellence, because we both shared the same agreement of what we both wanted and we both knew our own pacings. For someone like myself, I’ve been called a whole lot of things and some of you that are watching this are very well aware of all of the things that I’ve been called throughout my whole entire career. I’ve been called an Omega, I’ve been called the leader of an ascension, I’ve been the destiny of this sport, I’ve been the victory achiever, I’ve been everything that you could possibly have thought of. Though, there’s one word—one name—that’s escaped me throughout the past five whole years that I’ve been doing this and that is excellence. Now, you might be thinking that it’s a little bit insane that someone like you has never been referred to as something along the lines of that word ‘excellence’ but it’s true, I’ve not. Is it something that I would love to be called as? Yes, it would be, and that’s a reason why I’ve come here to Pro Wrestling Excellence. To achieve the said ‘excellence’ that has eluded me throughout all of my whole career.
Soon enough, a voice is heard from out of the camera shot that is quick to grab the attention of Jason.
VOICE: So, with you here in Pro Wrestling Excellence, do you plan to take over and conquer just like you’ve done in so many other promotions within the past? I mean, it’s become a staple of what you do inside of the ring. I could only assume the same thing happens once again.
Jason takes a moment to soak in that question, letting the silence fill the entire studio room, before a half-smile grew along his lips and he was able to adjust himself in his seat. Though, he doesn’t go to answer that question right away—he opts to take another gulp from the pint that he had poured out for himself, maybe even a second gulp as the pint glass had soon became half-emptied before he brought it back down onto the table right beside him.
JASON LONG: Well, it’s like what you said, it’s become a staple of what I can achieve inside of the ring so it must be something that I’ve come here to do then, isn’t it?
He pauses for a moment, letting that question sink in as he looked out to whoever was standing out of the camera shot.
JASON LONG: Sure, the championships and being able to say that I’ve taken down everyone that’s been thrown in my way is a nice touch to have in a couple of months here into Pro Wrestling Excellence, but what does that do for me? What does that achieve for me? That’s just a path of the same thing that I’ve done elsewhere and it’s tired me out so quickly. You’d probably expect me to jump right into the ocean and swim with the many sharks who also want their chance at the top prize but for me? Nah, I just wanna take my time. All good things come to those who wait, ain’t that how the old saying goes?
VOICE: But, you said that you wanted to capture excellence and the pinnacle of excellence here is the PWE Excellence Championship—I’m sure that’s something you’ve got your eyes on right now with the former champion, Vhodka Black, now vacating the championship.
There’s silence that once again fills up the room as Jason just stares right out of the shot and right at whoever the voice was coming from, shaking his head from side to side before bringing his head down and leaning forward, arms to his knees and his hands clasped together.
JASON LONG: I’m aware that the Excellence Championship is vacant as it is right now and there’s already one man with eyes on the prize – Allen Chaney – and he can have it for as long as he wants so let him have his fun with it for as long as he can hold it. Right now, for me, I want to start right at the bottom of the pile and I want to be able to prove myself like I’m just some nobody to everyone else, but everyone’s gotta meet the same fate one way or another, don’t they? They’re gonna have to come face to face with The Last Breathing Mercenary at some point whether they’d like to or not and when they do—when they’re on my list of names to take down—they’re put down just like all the other bodies that have come and gone over the years. Now, I could easily be hot-shotted right to the championship scene if that’s what they want to do on the first show back, but if that’s the case? Then I’ll make it my everything to just prove why they’re doing that and not just fuck it up like how I was set up to fail within the fuckin’ past.
Jason slowly lifted his head right up and looked directly into the lens of the camera recording him, a slight half-smile appearing once again along his lips as he let out a soft chuckle.
JASON LONG: That’s a fate that everyone’s gotta meet at some point though, they’re gonna have to come face to face with me and they’re gonna have to fight for their fuckin’ lives—that’s how I’ve always stepped into a fight, a match, or whatever. I’ve always fought like my life’s on the line and that’s what’s made me one of the most vicious and dangerous fuckers this business has ever seen, because when I tap into that mindset and I’ve got a goal in mind? I set, and aim, to capture that goal and I’d do everything it takes to do so. That’s why I’ve been hired for a spot here in Pro Wrestling Excellence because I am one of the best to have ever done it and the records? They don’t lie. Like I said, I came here to Pro Wrestling Excellence for one thing and one thing only—to achieve excellence and I’ll be damned if I don’t do exactly what I say I’ll do because of everything that I’ve said before? It always comes true, no matter how hard someone will stop to make sure it doesn’t happen. And that’s what all of you, lovely viewers, will be witnessing each and every week from now on. And for those on the roster that are tuning in to hear what I’ve got to say, this is your clear and only warning that I am kindly giving you.
Jason extended his hand out, gesturing as if he’s speaking to everyone that’s in front of him.
JASON LONG: I don’t come here to have fun, I come here to prove myself once again. To find my real self, the one that’s been fuckin’ locked up for the past year and a half, and if I find that old self and I bring it here? You should be fuckin’ scared of what’s coming your way. And in case you’re not aware of who I am? Let me give you the rundown pretty quick. My name is Jason Long, the man who’s become a fuckin’ legend of this shit, and once upon a time ago? I was a ‘king’ of this sport and now, I’m just a simple mercenary looking to find myself once again. But, don’t let that fool you—because I’m still that same ol’ bastard that’ll haunt this roster and make ‘em all my bitch.
He pauses for a moment, before speaking once again.
JASON LONG: Oh, and one last thing before I go… Just when you think you have the answers? I change the questions. Remember that when VICTORY comes around. I’ll see you all soon enough.
Fade to black.
KANNA VERGER [1ST] vs. ISAAK OTTO [2ND] vs. KLAYTON KROSS [3RD] vs. ALLEN CHANEY [FINAL]
EXCELLENCE GAUNTLET
EXCELLENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Upon the visibility of the image, the screen goes dark. The PWE logo fades in and out. The Hulu logo follows it. And then, it fades to black.
