A golden fuse on the blacktop of the Las Vegas Strip lights up the screen. It races towards the SHOOT Project Epicenter, which the camera pans up to reveal. “The Crazy Ones” by Stellar Revival kicks in as the fuse ignites the SHOOT Project Helmet. We are the new-school, no rules Needle in a haystack The first image is Donovan King, standing at the entrance to the arena with the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder, flashing quickly to Dan Stein, a grin on his face as he saunters down to the ring. It cuts to Maya Nakashima kneeling in the ring, his arms outstretched as he looks to the skylights. We are the outsiders, all nighters Scream if you’re a badass! It shows Jonas Coleman marching down to the ring as Lunatikk Crippler is shown getting in someone’s face. The scene cuts to Charles Brandon Magnus and Buck Dresden with their titles held high in the air for a moment before we catch a brief view of El Asso Wipo breaking every back in existence while Silas Mitchell looks on, his face twisted in consternation. We see Jacob Mephisto slowly leaning in and whispering into the ear of some unknown Soldier as he stares at the camera, a grin forming on his face. We are the wheels that keep turning Long Island Hardcore individually during the Redemption Rumble, laying the heat on their opponents. It flashes to Johnny Napalm hoisting the Tag Team Championship in the air, cutting quickly to Thomas Manchester Black shouting out to the fans in attendance, which quickly cuts to Chance Ryan glaring at the camera, Cade Sydal behind him with a smirk on his face. We see Cronos Diamante sparring with Edmund Augustus Shan before it cuts to Henry Gordon wringing his hands with a grin on his face. We are the heart breakers, risk takers Anything but boring Laura Seton helping to eliminate Jaime Alejandro is shown as Corey Lazarus is arguing with a referee before we see Solomon Richards nods his head to the camera. We then see Ja Gi Kyung-Moon flying over the top rope into the ring. ‘Cause we are the crazy ones The mavericks, the dreamers, the forgotten sons Mason Pierce drops to the floor, leaving his partner to be victimized before we cut to ANARCHY saluting the fans as they stand at the entrance. Kenji Yamada has Flay Rios by her cheeks and slaps her across the face as he glares into her sad eyes. We color outside the lines for fun We are the crazy ones Johnny Napalm is covered in blood, staggering around with a gigantic grin on his face. Obsidian lords over a fallen foe as Isaac Entragian puts his arm around Elizabeth Gaunt, glaring down at Maya Nakashima. ‘Cause we are the crazy ones The badass, outcast, son of a guns Mason Pierce takes a harsh pile driver through the flaming table from Kenji Yamada. Thomas Manchester Black trades hits against Corey Lazarus. We then see Tanya Black holding her belt high before it cuts to her nailing a picture perfect dropkick to an unknown foe. We march to the beat of a different drum We are the crazy ones We are the crazy ones Henry Gordon stands tall in the ring, severely winded, as it cuts to Dan Stein holding Minxy Jones’ mask high above his head as a trophy. One of a kind, believe it So stand up and make ’em see it YEAH! The guitar solo brings us to Donovan King hitting the Dealbreaker on Mason Pierce, then Corazon hitting the Act of Inhumanity on Isaac Entragian, then Jester Smiles connecting with the Virginia Sidekick on Lunatikk Crippler, then Jaime Alejandro wailing away at Obsidian, backing the monster against the ropes. We see Drew Stevenson slapping the hands of a few fans before it cuts to David Miller, standing in a dimly lit ring, his head bowed and sweat dripping from his head. ‘Cause we are the crazy ones The mavericks, the dreamers, the forgotten sons Isaac Entragian lights Jaime Alejandro’s uniform on fire cuts to Laura Seton hitting a flying crossbody to Dan Stein. We color outside the lines for fun We are the crazy ones Corazon catches Isaac Entragian with the Act of Inhumanity and Phillip Goodman smirks at the camera. ‘Cause we are the crazy ones The badass, outcast, son of a guns Lunatikk Crippler throws his head back, his silken, ebony locks flowing back in slow motion gets quickly cut Alex Brooks sprinting to the ring. We march to the beat of a different drum We are the crazy ones The SHOOT Project Helmet reappears on screen, in golden flame against a black background. WE ARE THE CRAZY ONES REVOLUTION.
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The crowd is buzzing in anticipation of the opening bout for this edition of Revolution.
Eryk Masters: We’re about to get under way here with our first match. The Iron Fist Championship is about to be on the line.
Other Guy: It’s a fantastic way to kick off Revolution. I’m definitely looking forward to this one. Let’s go to Samantha Coil for the introductions.
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentleman, our opening contest is to be contested under Iron Fist rules and is for the IRON FIST CHAMPIONSHIP!
Jap the Ripper by B’z begins to boom over the arena speakers and the crowd begins to cheer wildly.
Samantha Coil: Introducing first the challenger. He hails from San Diego, California. Standing 5’11 and weighing in at 188 pounds, here is JA GI KYUUUNNNG MOOOON!!!
Ja Gi BURSTS through the curtains and onto the stage full of energy. He bounces on his toes for a few seconds as he looks out over the cheering crowd before heading down the entrance ramp. He moves at a brisk and energetic pace, tagging the outstretched hands of the fans as he goes.
Eryk Masters: Ja Gi is pumped up tonight. And he’s going to have to be because the champion can be as ruthless as they come in this type of match.
Other Guy: He’s got a big challenge ahead of him. But, I’m interested to see how Kincaid reacts to Ja Gi swooping in and taking his shot at the Iron Fist title.
Ja Gi is jogs around the outside of the ring, tagging hands with as many fans as possible before sliding under the bottom rope. He goes to a neutral corner and bounces lightly on his toes as he waits for his opponent.
They Are Lost by Last Remaining Pinnacle starts up over the PA system, as the crowd explodes for the man known as “The Queen City Hitman”.
Samantha Coil: Now introducing from Tokyo, Japan by the way of his hometown, The Queen City…Charlotte , North Carolina…
TMB comes out from behind the curtains wearing Black and White MMA shorts and boots. He tops that off by wearing a Grey North Carolina Tar Heels Hoodie with a towel over his head & his forearms and fists taped up. On his fist and forearm tape you see the words “Dark Sinner”. Black hardly looks out from the hoodie as he walks toward the ring. He stops and cracks his knuckles before raising the Iron Fist title in the air.
Samantha Coil: He is “The Queen City Hitman”… "The Scarred Saint"…
TMB continues to make his way down the ramp way, soaking up the reaction from the crowd that are tossed his way. TMB makes his way up the steel steps and steps over the top rope and doesn’t even look at the ref as he makes his way to the middle of the ring. He raises his title once more as Carolina Blue and White streamers flood the ring, Japanese style. TMB bows to the fans and goes to the corner as Ring Hands start to clean the streamers from the ring.
Samantha Coil: This is your Iron Fist Champion…THOMAS MANCHESTER BLACK!
Once the ref is finished, TMB takes off his hoodie and tosses it to a ring hand, before slinking down into a sitting position in the corner and handing the title to the ref. Black eyes remain focused as he waits for the match to begin.
Eryk Masters: Thomas Manchester Black is obsessed with the idea of building some sort of twisted family through pain. It’s pretty eerie, but who can argue with the man? His methods have mostly worked.
Other Guy: I think it’s safe to say that Ja Gi is going to put up a pretty good argument here tonight, Masters. For Moon, it seems like there’s more than just the Iron Fist Championship at stake.
Willie Dean calls for the bell and the two men begin to advance. Black moves in quickly, but Ja Gi begins to unleash a flurry of QUICK kicks to the legs of TMB. TMB backs up after sustaining several of those kicks and shakes his legs out. He gives Moon a polite nod before beginning to circle him.
TMB moves in for a tie up, but Moon goes downstairs with a SUDDEN dropkick right to the knees. TMB hits the canvas hard, but immediately pushes himself up and starts to get to his feet. But, Moon stays on him and begins to PEPPER TMB with open hand strikes and forearms. TMB staggers backwards as JGKM keeps up the offense.
JGKM backs TMB into the corner and begins to lay into him with a series of knife-edged chops to the chest. Moon pulls Black out of the corner with an Irish whip, but TMB REVERSES, sending Ja Gi to the opposite corner. TMB gets a head of steam and absolutely CRUSHES Moon in the corner with a running clothesline splash! Black backs off as Ja Gi stumbles out of the corner. TMB hooks Moon up, spins around, and LAUNCHES Moon back into the buckle with a NASTY Exploder Suplex! The crowd cheers loudly, but there are many in the crowd who groan, seeming to feel Ja Gi’s pain.
Eryk Masters: What a start to the match! Ja Gi came out like a house of fire, but the champ would have none of it.
Other Guy: TMB just launched Ja Gi into that turnbuckle with a very nasty exploder suplex. Ja Gi just buckled under the pressure.
Eryk Masters: Are you serious right now?
Other Guy: What?
TMB brings Ja Gi to his feet. He PISTONS a pair of elbow strikes directly to the jaw of Moon. He pulls JGKM out of the corner, only to hoist him up and drop him down across his knee with a side backbreaker! TMB keeps Moon in position on his knee and GRINDS Moon down over his knee.
Ja Gi howls in pain and TMB continues to grind down, inflicting as much damage on Moon’s back as possible. TMB shoves Moon’s body forward, sending him face down onto the canvas. Black stands up but QUICKLY drops a heavy knee onto Moon’s back, causing him to shout out in pain.
TMB backs off and motions for Willie Dean to start a count. The referee complies.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Ja Gi crawls to the ropes and begins to pull himself up.
FIVE!
SIX!
SEVEN!
Ja Gi pulls himself to his feet and Willie Dean is forced to stop his count.
TMB quickly advances on Moon, only to get caught with a LIGHTNING QUICK dropkick right to the face. Black hits the canvas hard, but pops back up quickly. Moon quickly rolls forward, getting behind TMB and DROPS Black to his knees with a very fast chop block. Moon wastes no time at all and hooks TMB’s head, PLANTING him with a DDT!
Eryk Masters: Ja Gi is showing he has a ton of fight left in him. What a great succession of moves to get him some breathing room!
Other Guy: He’s definitely got the speed advantage in this one, but I don’t know if speed is going to be enough when it’s all said and done. Right now, Moon is surviving, but if he wants to win, he’s going to have to do more than that.
Moon clutches his back as he leans against the ropes. He darts forward and NAILS a flipping legdrop across the back of TMB’s neck! Moon goes back to lean against the rope, telling Willie Dean to make his count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
TMB pushes himself up slowly to a kneeling position, glaring at JGKM.
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
TMB stands, shaking out the cobwebs and forcing the referee to stop his count.
As SOON as TMB gets to his feet, Ja Gi goes back on the attack with open hand strikes, leg kicks and forearms. He backs TMB into the ropes and Irish whips him across the ring! BUT TMB REVERSES and pulls Moon back in, hooking on a bearhug!
TMB SQUEEZES tight on the bearhug as Ja Gi shouts in pain yet again. TMB WHIPS Moon side to side like a ragdoll a few times and then SLAMS him down with a spinebuster! TMB looks down at Ja Gi for a moment before climbing through the ropes and out on the floor. A ringside camera catches a close up of TMB.
TMB: Time to join the family of pain, Ja Gi.
Eryk Masters: This isn’t good, OG. If TMB is on the outside, he’s looking for a weapon. This does not bode well for Ja Gi.
Other Guy: Ja Gi knew what he was signing up for. This is an Iron Fist match. It ain’t for the weak at heart.
TMB grabs a chair from underneath the ring he looks at it for a moment, but shakes his head as he drops it.
TMB: Too generic.
Ja Gi is trying to pull himself up using the ropes in the ring. He clutches his lower back in pain as he does so. Moon notices TMB searching for a weapon on the outside. He rolls out of the ring and gets a running start. Moon rounds the corner and TMB has his back to him! JGKM picks up speed and LAUNCHES himself forward with a front dropkick, sending TMB CRASHING into the ringside barricade! The crowd goes wild for the display of speed and athleticism from JGKM.
Eryk Masters: And Ja Gi shows his speed with that fantastic move, catching TMB off guard!
Other Guy: He’s got to keep up the pace, Masters. He’s got Black down on the outside. Now would be a great time to capitalize.
Moon wastes no time and advances, sending kicks to TMB’s chest and legs while he is against the barricade. BUT TMB FIRES BACK with a few well placed elbows right to the temple of Ja Gi! Moon staggers backward and TMB reaches into the crowd, grabbing an object from a fan.
TMB steps forward and swings, CLOBBERING JGKM right in the face, sending him crashing to the floor!
Eryk Masters: Was that? Is that a prosthetic leg?
Other Guy: No. It’s…it’s a prosthetic knee!
TMB holds the prosthetic in the air as the crowd cheers wildly. Moon moves his hands away from his forehead and blood begins to trickle from a fresh gash.
Other Guy: Moon’s busted open from that knee! Man, that thing must be SHARP!
TMB tosses the prosthetic back into the crowd and begins to stomp away on Moon. He brings JGKM to his feet and RAMS his head into the steel ringpost! TMB grabs Moon by the hair and climbs up onto the apron. He steps between the ropes, but keeps Moon on the apron. Black HAMMERS Moon with an elbow to the temple, crumpling him down onto the apron. TMB exits the ring and grabs the chair he dropped earlier. Black rears back with the chair and SMASHES JGKM across the back with it, causing him to writhe in agony on the ring apron.
TMB goes to the opposite side of the ring and climbs the ring steps. He steps between the ropes and walks over to where JGKM is lying on the apron. TMB unfolds the chair and sets it up just in front of the ropes. He grabs a fist full of Moon’s hair and brings him to his feet. TMB hooks Moon’s head, pulling him through the ropes, setting him up for a rope hung DDT on the chair! BUT MOON REACHES FORWARD and grabs the chair!
JGKM rams the chair repeatedly into TMB’s knees, causing Black to release his grip and crumple to the canvas! Moon clutches his back in pain with one hand and tries to wipe the blood from his forehead with his other.
Eryk Masters: Great presence of mind from JGKM there! He was able to stop TMB from executing a move that could have put him down for good in this match!
JGKM climbs through the ropes, back into the ring. TMB gets to his feet, but he is a bit wobbly. JGKM rushes forward and LEAPS up onto TMB’s shoulders, WHIPPING him over in a frankensteiner. TMB lands back first onto the steel chair!
Moon rolls out of the ring and immediately goes under the ring. After a few seconds of rummaging around, JGKM pulls a ladder out from under the ring!
Eryk Masters: This is going to be really bad for someone. I don’t know if my heart can take it!
Other Guy: This could be a mistake for Ja Gi, though! We’re going to find out very quickly!
Moon manages to slide the ladder into the ring and rolls in behind it. He picks the ladder up just as TMB struggles to his feet. Moon TOSSES the ladder at TMB, BUT TMB CATCHES IT! Black rushes forward with the ladder, but MOON goes low and dropkicks TMB in the knee, sending him CRASHING to the canvas chest first onto the ladder! TMB rolls off the ladder clutching his chest in pain and coughing.
Moon drags the ladder to TMB’s legs. He opens the ladder and places TMB’s legs inside and closes it. TMB is still clutching at his chest. Moons quickly climbs the nearest turnbuckle and perches on the tope rope.
Eryk Masters: I don’t like where this is heading!
Other Guy: I do! This is going to be either really good or really bad for Ja Gi!
Ja Gi LEAPS from the top rope and comes CRASHING down on the ladder with TMB’s legs sandwiched between it with a HUGE senton splash! The crowd loses it and begins to chant!
HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Moon rolls away, clutching his back in an extreme amount of pain. The blood is still trickling down his forehead. TMB sits straight up with a look of pure agony on his face as he frantically tries to open the ladder. After a second or two, he is able to free his legs and roll to his stomach, clutching his chest and legs. TMB slowly makes it to his knees as JGKM gets to his feet.
Moon advances on TMB with kicks to the chest, but TMB SHOVES him away. Moon stays on the attack and rushes back in with forearms this time. TMB begins to fire fists and elbows into Moon’s midsection and shoves him back again. Moon advances yet again and UNLEASHES a brutal flurry of kicks and forearms to TMB. Black tries to fight back from his knees, but Moon is relentless in his assault! Finally, Ja Gi stops his assault and backs up into a corner.
Eryk Masters: What’s Moon going for here? This could be the end for Thomas Manchester Black’s title reign!
Other Guy: Whatever it is, he needs to do it quick!
Moon looks poised to charge forward, but instead tells Willie Dean to make the count. TMB glares at Willie Dean, but since he’s not to his feet yet, the referee begins his count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
TMB tries to stand, but his legs buckle under him and he collapses to the canvas!
FIVE!
SIX!
SEVEN!
TMB frantically drags himself to a corner and begins to use the ropes to try and DRAG himself to his feet!
EIGHT!
NINE!
TMB makes it to his feet! BUT HIS LEGS BUCKLE AGAIN AND HE FALLS BACK TO THE CANVAS!
TEN!!!
Willie Dean immediately calls for the bell and Ja Gi LEAPS into the air in celebration!
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, and NEW IRON FIST CHAMPION, JA GI KYUUUNNNG MOOOOON!!!!
Willie Dean hands JGKM the Iron Fist title and Moon is ecstatic! He raises the title high in the air as Jap the Ripper by B’z kicks up again. TMB rolls around on the canvas clutching his knees in pain.
Eryk Masters: What a win from Ja Gi Kyung Moon! I don’t think I would’ve left it to chance though. He could’ve gone in for the kill there, but he didn’t. If he keeps that up as champion, it could re-identify the Iron Fist division. A great match to kick things off tonight!
Other Guy: It’s controversial if you ask me, Masters!
Eryk Masters: What are you talking about?
Other Guy: Thomas Manchester Black made it to his feet before the ten count. Even though he collapsed afterwards, he beat the count!
Eryk Masters: He never established his footing, OG. He collapsed as soon as he got to his feet. It’s a fair ruling.
Other Guy: I’m not totally sure I agree with that. Regardless, it was a hard fought match by both of these guys. Congratulations to Ja Gi Kyung Moon. But the night isn’t over by a long shot! We’ve more great matches ahead!
Eryk Masters: That’s true! We’ve got a tag team tournament match coming up later as well as our main event featuring Lunatikk Crippler going head to head with Valentine Lionheart in a Master of the Mat tournament match!
Ohhh, oh-oh-oh-ohhhh, o-o-o-o-o-ohhhh…
Eryk Masters: The sound of Lady Gaga, so you all know what that means.
Other Guy: She has no match on either show this time around and, though never made public, Laura Seton’s made enough rumblings the last couple days that she’s got more than a few words she wants to say.
The dark pink blast of pyro goes off at the top of the ramp and through the smoke she appears. Instead of casual clothes, she has on her black leather sleeveless top and dark pink leather pants and black wrestling boots; her hair is tied in a ponytail. Her head is down.
…No he can’t read my poker face
She’s got me like nobody…
Her head raises and her shiver of intensity runs through her head and neck. An equal, if not harsher, look in her eyes.
Eryk Masters: So basically it’s another bitch session. Awesome.
Other Guy: From what I heard and from that look in her eyes—well, I’m sure you’ll see.
She heads down the ramp taking in the insults from the fans and doing no more than giving a dirty look here and there. Upon reaching it, she slides into the ring and with a sour expression, calls for a mic. She swipes it out of the air and wastes no time.
Laura Seton: Something in SHOOT Project is not right. I’m not a fan of the violence, we all know that; that’s not my problem this time.
As the fans cheer her recounted failures, she gets a look of thought. As if trying to organize one more time the correct phrasing of what she wants to say.
Laura Seton: I look out at you meandering, pathetic donkeys and I see a world that’s become a mess. It’s popular to pick on wrestling fans—say they’re the dumbest of all sports fans. I can’t possibly disagree. I see beings that can’t run their own lives. They can’t truly decide what they do and don’t want. While the rest of the real world works and goes home and spends quality time with their families—you all come out to watch SHOOT Project. You all come out to watch a company that doesn’t know what it’s doing.
Eryk Masters: SHOOT’s at the top of the wrestling world. What does she mean?
Laura Seton: SHOOT and it’s fans are a disgrace. Over in LEGACY…
Fan: How about you shut up about LEGACY for once!?
Laura swings her head in the direction of the fan.
Laura Seton: You shut your mouth or I shut it for you.
Boos flutter around the arena as her glare hardens while she looks back into the camera.
Laura Seton: Everyone here is just a slave to the decisions that this incompetent front office makes. The stupid decisions combined with the reactions of you fools being force fed is making this place a miserable dump.
Other Guy: You got away with trashing Jason Johnson a few months ago; you may not a second time.
Laura Seton: There is no future being built here in SHOOT! Every time I look up at the booking sheets, I see the same thing evolving. Donovan King against Lunatikk Crippler or Dan Stein. Occasionally we’ll see someone like Tommy Black or Napalm thrown in just so it looks like there’s some variety, but you know what? It’s smoke and mirrors. Jason Johnson and his yes-men back there only trust the beloved three right now. They earned it, yes. Stein got there from the Rumble—a great feat—but… A pay-per-view comes along and King with his belt against Crippler, holy crap it’s a rerun! But because all of you love Crip, we get to see it over, and over, and over, and over again! And because of that… there’s no room for Laura Seton. You have Dan Stein who’s a primadonna, an eccentric egotistical person, but you hate him so much that you don’t realize you secretly love him… so he will forever stay at the top. Laura Seton will remain in the background. Laura Seton will always stay in the background.
Boos and catcalls come towards her, as well as the infamous “CUNT” chant.
Laura Seton: It’s too big a gamble to put Laura Seton on the main stage. She’s never been a… QUIT CALLING ME THAT!!
But that just increases the density of the chant. Her jaw clenches. It’s all boiled over now.
Laura Seton: FUCKING SHUT UP!!
Her face turns dark red in anger as the booing, obviously, gets even heavier. But she barely bothers to wait for it to quiet down.
Laura Seton: I’ve been recognized enough to be slated near the top at Reckoning Day. I did enough to be entered in Master of the Mat. I came up short, but in MY case, don’t let those results fool you. I work hard every week and wrestle through all the injuries. I don’t go and fake a retirement every other month like Stein. I don’t give phony smiles and give fraudulent handslaps with fans. I’m not worried about basketball anymore. But no, we still don’t get Laura Seton. She just can’t be put up there. So we get legends because Jason’s frightened what can happen if Laura Seton DARES win Master of the Mat! He rehires Jonny Johnson and Trey Willett. People he knows you’ll eat up with a spoon.
The crowd cheers LOUDLY at the names of the SHOOT legends!
Laura Seton: FUCK JONNY JOHNSON!! FUCK TREY WILLETT!! FUCK Donovan King and EVERYONE else back there, for that matter!
Eryk Masters: THAT is disrespectful!
Other Guy: I hope she takes that back because if not, I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets beaten to the core back there.
Laura Seton: Maybe I’ve believed what many of you jackasses did, and that’s that I still had some ‘nice’ left in me. I still wasn’t willing to do EVERYTHING necessary. So fuck it. The old Laura Seton piece of shit is gone. The ‘Terror’ is truly going to show in Twenty Minutes of Terror. And it’s not stopping until all you motherfuckers see Laura Seton at SHOOT’s peak. Instead of Laura Seton watching time go by and just collect that paycheck, she’s going to show she’s worth more than the contract she signed. She’s worth more than being close to the top. Signing Loco and the other idiots will be nothing but a waste of money. I crapped all over Loco in the past and I’ll do it again here. If Jonny isn’t telling the truth and lasts longer than Master of the Mat, you damn well better bet I’m beating him in a rematch. And everyone else goes on notice.
Don’t… you dare… fuck with me anymore.
She slides out of the ring and heads back up the ramp as the cameras go back to the commentators.
Eryk Masters: The frustration finally got to her.
Other Guy: Maybe not the best way to say everything, but I like the edge. Even more than what she was showing recently. If her game elevates with this newest edge as it did a few months ago, she just may get where she wants. If not, she’ll only have herself to blame.
Backstage at the Epicenter.
You know the drill.
Things are hectic, what with a wrestling show going live on whatever channel SHOOT airs on. If you’ve been paying attention, you understand. Also if you’ve been paying attention you’d know what the basic promotional set looks like and there’d be no need for a detailed description here. It should be noted that there is a ficus. Also a very large, very svelte SHOOT logo emblazoned on the wall.
Rich Mahogany, that’s “The Ladies Man” to you, stands defiantly in front of the camera. Well, maybe not so much defiantly as deviantly. Around his neck is not only an aquamarine bow-tie, but an entire host of feather boas of varying shades of neon loud. Don’t even look down below the abs, you can’t deal with the glory of the aquamarine man-thong that hold’s back the business end of Rich’s mahogany, if you understand. Also there are flip-flops.
This is the part where Abigail Chase or Dutch Harris would generally interview the debuting tag team dubbed the Angel City Express, but when Abby got a look at their promotional efforts she flat out refused, and Dutch was busy working on something that might actually be relevant. As such, the Red Rocket Rich Mahogany is left interviewing his own partner before his first match for SHOOT.
Mahogany: It’s me, it’s me, it’s that Richie-Rich MOE-HAH-GO-NEE! And I’m here live and loud with nobody better by my own Tag Team Partner, Best Friend Forever, Thunder Buddy, and the manliest BroManDude I’ve ever had the pleasure of running the train on several dozen Thai hookers with: DAPPER! DON! HOLLYWOOD!
In theory, this is where canned applause would be inserted. From off-camera stage left walks the single greatest wrestler to enter the SHOOT Project this side of Rich Mahogany, with a waist-length neon orange and green ring jacket covering the upper half of his tanned-onyx carved body the camera focuses in on his flawless lantern jawed face and perfectly coiffed blond hair. Dapper Don is uncharacteristically quiet, and he’s got that look on his face. Seriously, sometimes he gets a look, this is one of those times.
Mahogany: Now, somma you mooks might not quite understand what you’re looking at here, well let me be the first to enlighten you! This is Dapper Don Hollywood, the mans’ ejaculate breaks the space time continuum! His highschool sweetheart is locked up on the funny farm for chronic withdrawal from his Miraculous Man Meat!
The FCC is gonna have a field day with this one.
Mahogany: Still don’t get it? The day Don Hollywood hit puberty is like, a National Statewide DAY OFF FROM WORK in at least fourteen third world countries!
Dapper Don himself paces around behind Rich, whose ranting is about to reach a fever pitch. Don himself seems completely oblivious to everything going on around him, his focus turned inward, his thoughts his own and no one elses.
Mahogany: What, not enough information? My pal Don Ho’s balls are insured by Lloyd’s of London. That’s top of the line, serious business right there people! This man is a future one-half of the World Tag Team Champions of the Shootiverse with yours truly, the Personification of Rammification, and tonight he’s gonna [finger quotes] “shock the world” by embarrassing Logan Caine in somewhere around the seven to twelve minute range!
Don slowly turns towards the camera. He slowly puts on a pair of orange framed sunglasses and cracks a smile. He pops his collar as he lays down the killer tagline to this epic promo to end all promos.
Dapper Don: ‘Nuff said, jerks.
The duo walk off camera laughing like they just saw an old person fall down and hurt themselves. They continue to jibber jabber amongst themselves as we slowly fade out.
Mahogany: Dope line, bro.
Dapper Don: Damn right it was, these fuckers don’t even know what the hell’s goin’ on man. Logan Caine thinks he owns the rights to the “mysterious moody guy” gimmick… *pffft* did you see how goddamn quiet and mysterious I was being while you were cutting that KILLER promo?
The two high five each other in epic fashion. Endless amounts of swag exploding from their fingertips.
Dapper Don: FUCK yeah, bro.
Mahogany: BAM.
As soon as the interview ends, the cameras cut IMMEDIATELY to the ring where "America is Not the World" by Morrissey can be heard faintly in the background. The shot focuses in on Logan Caine, who is already currently in the ring, having apparently made his way down during the previous segment.
Samantha Coil: The following contest is scheduled for ONE fall. Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred, eighty two pounds. From Pahrump, Nevada… LOGAN CAINE!!!
Caine receives a tepid reaction at best, though he does not seem deterred by it in the slightest.
Eryk Masters: We welcome Logan Caine into the SHOOT Project ranks, and I’ll tell ya what, OG, Caine is a very interiguing competitor. He’s well respected in the wrestling world. A gritty, gutsy, old school approach. He’s a grinder who just hasn’t really been able to put it all together.
Caine’s music stops, and the veteran stretches casually, awaiting his opponent.
Other Guy: That’s just the nature of this business, Eryk. I mean, hell, man, you know better than anyone. You gotta have the right look at the right time, and ya gotta SAY the right THING at the right time. This cat Caine has the tools, and tonight might be that night. Granted, shit don’t look good when ya get the "not enough time" jobber entrance, though. Why is that?
Eryk Masters: I think that’s mental, OG. I’ve seen plenty of guys win bouts without a televised entrance. You could go over what it looked like to our fans watching at home if you’re concerned.
Other Guy: That seems tedious.
Before the commentator’s discussion can carry on any longer…
"THE BIG BAD WOLF!"
A heavy bass line picks up, with a whole host of howling and electo-percussion noise. The fans aren’t very familiar with the entrance, and so their reaction is initially pretty tame. However, they start to boo a bit upon the arrivals of DON HOLLYWOOD and his partner in crime MAHOGANY!
Other Guy: And if Logan Caine is vanilla… here comes a kind of desert with a shit ton of douche on it. These guys are GREAT, Eryk.
Eryk Masters: Well, I don’t know why I thought we’d see a one on one, affair based on what I’ve seen and heard from these two.
Caine doesn’t appear happy at the sight of Mahogany, but keeps his composure. Meanwhile, the pair take their VERY sweet time to the ring. Mahogany doesn’t appear to shut his mouth the entire trip down the aisle, gawking at the fans, while Hollywood concentrates on how good he looks. He manages to strut about nine different ways, showing off his… well, everything.
Samantha Coil: And HIS OPPONENT! From West Hollywood, California! He weighs in at two hundred, fifteen pounds… "DAPPER". DON. HOLLYWOOOOOOD!
Mahogany jumps up on the ring apron and begins bowing to his buddy, Hollywood, who rips a sign out of a fan’s hand. The sign says seriously only says "ERIC WAS HERE!" but Hollywood tears it up and flicks the pieces left in his hand at said fan.
Eryk Masters: This is a little much.
The fans start to get annoyed and BOO pretty loudly, considering the relative unknown status of both men. Caine continues to wait patiently, moving his neck side to side.
"Big Bad Wolf" by Duck Sauce plays a bit more, but eventually starts to fade as Hollywood approaches the ring steps and enters the ring. Mahogany begins applauding from the floor, while Don slowly takes off his ring jacket and literally beckons for a ring attendant. At the same time, Austin Linam CALLS FOR THE BELL.
"DING DING DING!"
Caine, trying to start off quickly, tries to get the early jump, but Mahogany LEAPS back on the apron, while Don ducks in between the ring ropes for mercy, shooing his opponent away. Linam pulls Caine back, as Hollywood IS technically in the ropes.
"BOOOOOO!"
Caine shakes his head and steps back, while Hollywood proceeds to hand his jacket to the ring attendant as though it was the greatest prize the Earth had ever seen. After some specific instructions, Hollywood turns back toward his opponent and the two men finally appear ready to start.
Eryk Masters: I think we’re finally going to start this match.
Other Guy: Here we go!!
Caine begins moving quickly on Hollywood, who doesn’t initially seem comfortable. Caine lunges in for an elbow collar tie up, but Hollywood weirdly somersaults away and leans into the ropes for protection. Caine aggresses, but Austin Linam holds him back. Hollywood is up to his feet and SLAPS an unexpecting Caine! The fans let out an "OOOH!" Caine touches the side of his face, but doesn’t let it get to him. Hollywood seems a little thrown off by his opponent’s patience. Mahogany cheers and laughs on the outside like an idiot.
Caine nods and both men start to circle the ring. Caine lunges again for an elbow-collar tie up, and this time, Dapper Don agrees. Both men LOCK UP. Caine has a pretty significant size advantage and pushes Hollywood back into the ropes… Hollywood puts his hands up in the air, and shouts at the ref to break, but Caine FIRES with a forearm to the chest!!!
Eryk Masters: Dapper Don NOT expecting that!!!
Hollywood is stunned and Caine throws him across toward the ropes at the other end. Hollywood bounces back and charges at Caine! Caine with a clothesline attempt, but Hollywood ducks and runs through! Caine is quick to turn around! Hollywood charges back, bouncing off the OTHER ropes now! Caine SWIFTLY TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A PERFECTLY EXECUTED ARMDRAG! The fans pop a bit for the quick exchange, but Caine doesn’t let up OR let go, as he locks the arm in place with an ARMBAR! Hollywood SCREAMS and Mahogany LEAPS on to the apron. Linam tells him to get down, but is otherwise unconcerned with him.
Eryk Masters: Linam seems more annoyed than anything… I can’t say I blame him. A little bit of an overreaction.
Caine seems a bit distracted, though, and doesn’t seem to have the hold locked in, or, for that matter, seem to know where he was going next. Hollywood is able to squirm out of the armbar and scamper away! Caine shakes his head. Hollywood runs at the ropes and bounces back toward his opponent! Caine drops to the mat and Hollywood LEAPS over. However, instead of the usual progression, he makes a B-LINE for the corner! Caine initially gets up facing the wrong way! Hollywood climbs to the top rope, but not quickly enough… Caine turns around and very CLEARLY sees Hollywood. Hollywood CLEARLY sees Caine…
Don Hollywood FLIES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSS BODY ATTEMPT…
But Caine side steps and Hollywood HITS THE MAT HARD!
Other Guy: Okay… now THAT was maybe not his best choice.
Eryk Masters: High risk attempt FAILS for Hollywood!
Hollywood grabs his side as he gets to his feet MAYBE just a little too quickly!!!
CAINE WITH AN ALERT ROLL UP FROM BEHIND!!!
Mahogany UP TO THE APRON AGAIN!
Linam turns his attention to the tag team partner.
Caine has HOLLYWOOD DOWN!!!
"ONE! TWO!" THE FANS CHANT! Linam hears them, and quickly ignores Mahogany! LINAM DROPS FOR THE COUNT!
"ONE!!!"
But Hollywood kicks out!
Caine seems flustered, but stays active. He gets to his feet and starts to pick Hollywood up…
BUT HOLLYWOOD LITERALLY PUNCHES LOGAN CAIN IN THE GROIN!
The fans let out a GROAN. Linam couldn’t see. Caine is SEVERELY winded!
Eryk Masters: He just punched him…
Other Guy: In his dick, man. Dick punch. Clever move on Linam’s blindside. A variation on the very over the top UPPER CUT strike we usually see applied.
Eryk Masters: A variation on the low blow? Did you just make that damn call!?!
Hollywood WAVES at Mahogany who once MORE hops on the ring apron! He reaches into the pockets of his pants and HURLS a pair of BRASS KNUCKLES into the ring… but RIGHT in front of Linam’s face. Hollywood tries to scoot over and grab them, but Linam quickly picks them up, shakes his head…
AND EJECTS MAHOGANY!
"YOU’RE OUT OF HERE!!" Linam shouts!!
Mahogany STARTS GOING CRAZY!!! However, at the exact same time… Hollywood starts to reach into his trunks, pulling out HIS OWN PAIR OF BRASS KNUCKLES!!! He puts them on very quickly and TURNS TO STRIKE CAINE!!!
BUT LOGAN IS READY!!!
Caine blocks the strike and counters with THE NOVACAINE!!! HIS OWN VARIATION OF THE CLAW!!!
Hollywood, sporting a much smaller frame than his opponent is particularly vulnerable to this hold and SCREAMS IN PAIN the second Caine LOCKS IT IN!!!!
Eryk Master: An HOMAGE to the legends before him! Caine has that CLAW LOCKED IN TIGHT!!!!
Cain, jacked, SCREAMS in primal fury as Hollywood falls to a knee…
But The Dapper One SPITS INTO CAINE’S MOUTH!!!
Caine is stunned by the disgusting ploy, and loses his grip on the hold! Before Linam can notice, Hollywood CRACKS CAINE IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE WITH THE BRAS KNUCKLES HE WAS STILL WEARING!!!
Eryk Masters: NO!!!
In a brilliant showing of ring savvy, Hollywood flicks the knucks off his hand immediately, and they shoot under the bottom rope, the entire attack, again, happening on Linam’s blindside!
The fans boooo loudly at the repeated bullshit moves from Hollywood, and the normally "Heel friendly" crowd, is fully against The Don. Caine holds the side of his face, barely able to keep a knee! Hollywood follows by wrapping his arms around Caine’s neck and face, while his legs slither around his midsection into a full body scissors! Hollywood TORQUES BACKWARD and brings Caine down toward the mat in a move he calls "THE KNAPSACK".
Other Guy: Hollywood has that sleeper LOCKED IN and I don’t know that Caine has enough to get back in this. He took the inverted low-blow strike and then the Brazillian Knucks to the side of the face!
Eryk Masters: Worst call of the year… C’mon Caine!!!
Other Guy: You NEVER win with an un-televised ring entrance, Eryk!!!
Sadly, it looks like OG is right. Caine starts to fade the harder Hollywood rips back!!! Linam, who suspects foul play, but has no sufficient evidence begrudgingly checks in on the situation while Hollywood begins shouting at Caine to tap!!!
He doesn’t… but Linam uses his better judgement and calls for the bell, as Caine appears ready to pass out.
"DING DING DING!!!"
Eryk Masters: Son of a bitch!
Other Guy: CALLED IT!
Hollywood lets go, and "BIG BAD WOLF" by Duck Sauce starts to play throughout the arena!!
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentleman… the winner of the match, as a result of official decision… "DAPPER" DON HOLLYWOOD!!!
Seldom do officials make it know that they are unhappy with a choice they made, but Linam did not like doing what he just did. Hollywood, of course, IMMEDIATLY begins to celebrate, shouting at Caine and taunting him mercilessly! Linam eventually steps in and tells Don to move back… but Hollywood simply shakes his head and points to his hand.
Eryk Masters: And now he wants his hand raised…
Linam has to oblige to the request, and does indeed raise Don Hollywood’s hand, but not for a second longer than he has to. Hollywood, content, rolls outside and makes sure to grab his jacket from the ring attendant. Linam continues to check in on Caine, and the fans continue coming to life.
Eryk Masters: Well, it looks like "flash and glitter" won out tonight, but I’ll tell you what… I think, honestly, Caine deserves a rematch. He had a stacked deck tonight and I also don’t think Linam was totally in the positions he needed to be in… But that’s me. These things happen in our sport.
Other Guy: Wins are wins, Eryk. Don Hollywood did that just a little bit better tonight.
Caine is very slow to recover in the ring, but does at least begin to show signs of life before the cameras take us elsewhere.
Some quick camera work brings Revolution backstage with a somewhat unexpected sighting of former SHOOT Project World Champion, JONNY JOHNSON. The thirty-six year old Hall of Famer is in street clothes; a brown Lollapallooza ‘05 T-shirt, skinny jeans, grey chucks, and seems, for the most part, to be in good spirits as he chats with one of the show’s tech guys. It’s a younger guy, maybe late twenties or so? Jonny pats him on the back and smiles.
Jonny: …Great work with the song stuff last week, man. That was like… perfect. I couldn’t have been happier with that mix. Breathless Bleeding into the new song… I just fucking loved it. And it’s… Chris? Right?
The guy nods.
Guy: Yeah. Chris.
Jonny and Chris shake hands, and the former World Champ can’t help but flash a coy grin.
Jonny: Worked with some great Chris’s in my time, man. Heh. But seriously, let the guys know they did a killer job and if it works, I’d uhh… I was serious. I’d like to take you guys out for dinner after the show tonight. The whole crew.
Chris, the Tech Guy, could not look anymore “cool” with that idea. He shrugs, almost in disbelief, and again nods.
Guy: Yeah. Dude, that would be amazing. I’m sure the guys would appreciate it, and I’ll let em know and we can ju…
Beat it, Topher.
Jonny’s attention turns to the sound of DAN STEIN’S voice. Stein stands in front of his gaggle of bitches, Molly, his Assistant, and Maximus Fanjita III, his new interior decorator. Fanjita has a giant sucker in his mouth, playing with the top on his lips very seductively. With an open leather vest and blue jeans, Stein’s apparel only screams ‘douche’. Stein points over his shoulder while staring at Chris until the techie disappears, hurriedly, out of the camera. Dan nods at Jonny before turning to Molly and being handed something.
Dan Stein: So, I picked up this CD a day or two back. I figured the great and storied Jonny Johnson would know his shit when it came to music.
Stein spins the CD case at Jonny, catching him in the chest with it. Jonny fumbles with it as it drops into his hand.
Dan Stein: Either I need to get a new CD, or you need to stop letting kids blow you for endorsements. That was GARBAGE, bro.
Jonny gives a stern, “I see what you’re doing” nod, and anxiously taps the CD up against the palm of his left hand. The assistant has long since bailed, leaving Jonny and the current number one contender alone.
Jonny: I appreciate the feedback, Dan… Congrats on all the recent success.
He gives Stein a very knowing, very subtle smirk, as he slips in a few extra lines to follow.
Jonny: Nothing quite gets me going like a sweet Nineties Swerve… BRO.
Dan places his hands on his hips.
Dan Stein: Hey. Retro’s "IN", man! You know that! I figured if an old man like you is going to come out of cancer treatments and colostomy bags for a shot at Dan Stein and the World Heavyweight Championship, why not pull out all the stops?
Stein’s comment brings an abrupt chuckle out of Jonny.
Jonny: Last I checked, Donov…
Stein waves him off before he can get a word out.
Dan Stein: DONOVAN King is still World Heavyweight Champion, yeah yeah yeah, I get it. And that’s why you’re back. I get it man. (pointing to Jonny and then back to himself, back to Jonny, back to himself) Trust me… WE get each other. Before Dominion, King’s still the champion, with no apparent challenger. The PERFECT time for Jonny Johnson!!! You got this whole humble thing. No one suspects anything. What? A title shot? I just want to win. Hahaha. Nice, man.
Next thing ya know, BAM! You make it to the Pay Per View still in the tournament, and by some miracle your hip doesn’t give out and look at that… FINALLY you’ll get your hands on Donovan King. FINALLY, you’ll get your paws around the throat of the guy that retired you to Chemotherapy. Finally…
Oh. Wait. No.
Stein’s demeanor takes just enough of a turn to Jonny know he’s not messing around.
Dan Stein: I’ll be the one you’re facing after Master of the Mat.
Stein chuckles, placing a hand over his chest to stop himself.
Dan Stein: And, one heel to another, I’m sorry that I’m NOT sorry I shit on your plans like that. I know it sucks when people fuck up and untie the damsel in distress from the train tracks – and I can only imagine what it’s like when the train that actually hits her isn’t the one you set in motion.
Dan smirks.
Dan Stein: But, hey, Bro. I look forward to Jonny/,Stein II. (Pondering) Yeah… well… a lot more than Entragian/Stein, that’s for fucking sure.
Stein shudders. Stein reaches out, slapping Jonny on the side of the arm.
Dan Stein: Let’s just hope history doesn’t repeat itself, yeah?
Stein moves to tap Jonny on the chin with a fist, but thinks twice of it and instead turns, bumping into Fanjita. Fanjita then bumps into the bitches behind him, setting a chain reaction of stumbling women. Stein sighs out loud before walking away. Molly looks at Jonny, mouthing the words “I’m Sorry” to him very politely. The camera focuses in on Jonny as the group walks away.
But Jonny doesn’t say a word.
Everything goes black.
The brooding instrumental of "Intro" by The XX slowly kicks up.
An image flashes on the screen of a busy highway at night in greyscale. The video is sped up, showing car after car fly by on the screen… each car is impossible to make out as they appear as just a blur. < P>
"Life doesn’t wait for you."
Then a single shot of the Vegas skyline.
"It doesn’t wait for you to decide when you want to take control."
The song begins to pick up a little harder as the drum beat kicks in… and we fade to a single, solitary empty wrestling ring. One light illuminates the center… swaying from one side to the other.
"And it doesn’t give you control."
The next shot shows various natural disasters. Twisters destroying homes. Explosions going off. Most of these look like film clips.
"I’ve let nature take it’s course for far too long…"
Then a shot of the Epicenter. Fans are crowding around outside. Star after star walk into the arena… the fans reaching out hoping to simply touch them. You can hear their screams over the music…
"I’m tired of sitting and watching life pass me by."
Then a shot of the empty wrestling ring again. This time, a man appears in the ring. It’s Conor Caden… his long black hair wet and stringy… his 5 o’clock shadow unkempt… a simple, generic white mask around the back of his neck resting atop his head.. his eyes staring into the camera.
"I’m taking my life back."
He pulls the mask down over his face… staring through the eye holes.
The song cuts and we fade out.
The ring bell sounds three times. The fans start cheering a bit, ready for another SHOOT Project bout. Samantha Coil: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL and will be a Sin City Championship Series match! As soon as Samantha stops talking the lights go out. "Absolute Zero" by Stone Sour kicks in. Out comes Johnny Napalm to a chorus of boos. Napalm has a smug look on his face. He is wearing a shirt that reads “Fear Me” on the front and “I Am Your Violent Savior” on the back. The SHOOT Project Tag Team Championship belt gleams around his waist. Selene follows closely behind, sneering at the fans. Napalm, meanwhile, stays focused on the ring. Samantha Coil: Introducing first, from South Boston, Massachusetts, led to the ring by Selena and standing six foot nine and weighing three hundred and two pounds! He is one-half of the SHOOT world tag team champions, and the self-proclaimed Violent Savior of the SHOOT PROJECT…JOHNNY NAPALM!!! Napalm stands at the top of the ramp with Selena in tow. He unbuckles the tag team belt as he he puts up the devil horns and holds up the blood stained tag belt in his hand. The crowd boos, but Napalm simply smiles before making his way to the ring. Eryk Masters: I kinda hope that Shan knocks that cocky grin off Napalm’s face, OG. Dude has been REALLY hard to stomach as of late.
Other Guy: Yet Johnny Napalm, as of late, has shown himself to be a vicious competitor. He’s one half of the tag team champions, he’s taken the World Champion to the LIMIT, and just last week he advanced to the next round of Master of the Mat by knocking out the current #1 contender to the Iron Fist Championship. I mean, dude has earned a little arrogance.
Napalm walks up the steps as Selena takes her spot at ring side. Entering the ring, he holds up the title again, which again elicits boos from the crowd. Napalm laughs, pointing to the belt and saying “I’m gonna get two more of these”. “Absolute Zero” cuts out and is replaced with “Everyday Combat” by the Lostprophets.
Eryk Masters: Here comes the a former Sin City Champion!
The crowd is actually very quiet as Edmund Augustus Shan emerges from the back. He stares down at the ring at Napalm, a quiet look of determination on his face.
Samantha Coil: And now, ladies and gentlemen, the challenger, from the Naked City, Las Vegas Nevada, he is a former Sin City Champion…Edmund….Augustus…Shan!
Upon hearing his name, Shan just rushes down to the ring and slides under the ropes. He gets up and immediately charges Napalm. Napalm throws a punch, but Shan blocks it and SLAMS Napalm with a jab. Another! Another! Heflin signals for the bell, not feeling like he could get the two to separate.
Other Guy: Shan has shown in the past that he is not afraid to take an opening and run with it. He’s now just attempting to take the fight straight to Napalm and take a quick victory.
Napalm is rocked by to the ropes, but Shan stays aggressive, throwing punches mixed with a few leg kicks. Napalm covers up, so Shan goes for body shots. Napalm lowers his hands and eats a few more jabs. He moves away from the ropes, but Shan keeps covering the distance. He moves in closer and grabs Napalm’s head, pulling him into a hard knee! Another! Another! Edumund Augustus Shan rocks the body of Napalm with hard knees, softening him up. Selena screams at Shan, but Shan stays focused, planting a hard forearm to Napalm’s face, cutting his lip open just slightly. Napalm is rocked, and Shan takes the opportunity to set up Napalm in a suplex position. He attempts to lift Napalm up!
Eryk Masters: Shan is looking for the Shanhammer early!
Napalm, however, is much to big, and he powers himself down to his feet. Shan attempts to lift again, but again Napalm is able to power himself down to his feet. Napalm throws a hard knee, catching Shan in the gut. As Shan staggers, losing the hold, Napalm grabs Shan’s face and DROPS HIM with an ace cutter!
Other Guy: He calls that the A.O.C, and he just LEVELED Edmund.
Eryk Masters: That came out of nowhere, and by the looks of Shan, he is out.
Shan lies on the ground, motionless. Napalm sits up, checking his lip. He pulls his hand away, seeing blood on his finger tips. He smiles as he turns around and hooks the leg, covering Shan. Heflin is there with the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-Napalm lifts Shan’s head up, breaking his own pin. The crowd boos, Selena cheers, and Napalm just smiles with a look of pure malice.
Eryk Masters: This doesn’t look good. Wake up, Edmund, or something really bad is going to happen.
Shan is lifted to his feet by a very evil looking Napalm. Napalm holds the head of a very groggy Shan, pushing him away, but keeping him at arms length. He slaps Shan hard in the face. Before Shan can react, Napalm pulls him in, scoops him up, and drops him with a variation on the Michinoku Driver!
Other Guy: And that variation on the Michinoku Driver is what Johnny Napalm calls the Napalm Driver! Shan is done guys.
Johnny Napalm looks down at the clearly unconscious Edmund Augustus Shan. He smiles menacingly. He then yells for Selena to get him a microphone. The crowd boos, and Heflin pleads with Johnny to end the match.
Eryk Masters: What does he need a microphone for? Come on man, just end the match!
Selena brings Napalm the microphone. Napalm looks down at Shan, who still does not move. He then looks to the back.
Johnny Napalm: Are you watching Jacob? Are you watching Adrian? Everyone in the Sin City Championship Series AND Master of the Mat? Are you watching the rise of the Violent Savior? The CURRENT Tag Team Champion? ANARCHY, Badass Brotherhood, Project: SCAR and the Silent Ass Wipes? ARE YOU FUCKING WATCHING ME NOW?!
Napalm throws the mic away, a loud pop resounding through the Epicenter. Napalm again picks up Shan, who can barely stand at all. He locks him into a standing headscissor, locking both arms in the double underhook. He then lifts all of Shan’s deadweight into the air and brings him down with the sit out tiger bomb!
Other Guy: And THAT is the Napalm Bomb!
Napalm keeps a hold on Shan, placing the man in a pinning predicament. Heflin counts, and the fans boo, knowing that the outcome at this point is obvious.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Napalm shoves Shan away, standing up. Heflin begrudgingly holds Napalm’s arm up in victory as the crowd showers down boos. Selena joins Napalm in the ring, pushing Heflin out of the way and holding Napalm’s arm up!
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, at a time of SIX MINUTES and THIRTY SEVEN SECONDS and moving on in the Sin City Championship Series…JOHNNY NAPALM!
The crowd continues to hail down boos as Heflin checks on Shan. Napalm leaves the ring and reclaims his Tag Team Championship, holding it high in the air. Selena takes his arm and they make their way up the ramp.
Eryk Masters: Well, I don’t agree with the manner, but Napalm just made a clear statement to Adrian Corazon, Jacob Mephisto, and anyone else that crosses his path that he will not be lightly pushed aside.
Other Guy: Edmund August Shan is a former champion, Eryk, and Napalm broke him like he was nothing. Arrogant douchebag he may be, but we may also see an upset in the making in the Master of the Mat tournament and the Sin City Championship Series.
We catch up with Orion member Valentine Lionheart who has an upcoming match tonight against Lunatikk Crippler in the Master of the Mat Tournament. Valentine can be seen strolling down the hallways of the SHOOT Epicenter, without worry. Approaching a specific dressing room door that reads Marcus Mirage, Valentine stops momentarily, staring at the nameplate. He shakes his head as he suddenly barges into the room, taking it’s occupant by surprise.
Grabbing Mirage from behind, he swings him around to gain some momentum and slams him head first into a locker, leaving a nice dent in it’s place. Mirage falls over the bench in front of the lockers and stares up at his assailant, bleary eyed. Reaching down, Valentine grabs Mirage, slamming his head into the locker a second time for good measure, dropping him in a heap.
Valentine: Maggot!
Grabbing his leg beneath the bench, Valentine pulls Mirage into the center of the relatively small dressing room and drops to one knee, lording over his fallen foe. Mirage grabs his head in agony, as Valentine slaps him stiffly across the face to get his attention. His words are carefully spoken, as to be heard without confusion.
Valentine: You are not the man I had heard of before my arrival in SHOOT Project. You’re a cheap imitation; a husk. Your reputation exceeds you. That’s right, exceeds. If and when you decide to care, the words I’ve heard to describe you ranged from cerebral to deceptive…dangerous even. The only word I can use to describe you, in earnest, is weak.
Valentine stands up, turning his back on Mirage, stopping beneath the door frame as if waiting for what should be the inevitable counter attack. As expected, it never comes. He doesn’t look back, just simply shakes his head with disgust as Mirage lays on the floor, dejected, not even attempting to fight back.
Valentine: You do not deserve a shot at the Orion championship, your name alone would taint it’s prestige. As of now, consider our business together concluded.
Valentine slams the dressing room door behind himself in complete disappointment. He shakes his head and turns back toward the dressing room door, sliding the nameplate off the door. He nonchalantly tosses it to a stagehand.
Valentine: Give the room to someone that deserves it.
Eryk Masters: Wow, OG, I haven’t seen Mirage that lethargic since, well, since prior to the emergence of his alter-ego…
Other Guy: You can see why Valentine made the comments he made concerning Mirage earlier in the week, the guy just isn’t there anymore. Seems he’s washed his hands of Mirage once and for all.
A shot of Loco Martinez sitting on a locker room bench. His head is in his hands. His gear bag is in front of him. He stares down at the yellow boots that have taken him through so much as a staccato piano quickly followed by the drum of Cold War Kids "Miracle Mile".
"I was supposed to do great things I’d know the rule’s law"
A shot of a young Loco Martinez in a different company’s ring hoisting a Championship belt over his head.
"But I wasn’t raised to shoot for fame I had the safety on"
Another shot of him in his Saint Joe’s graduation gown, his arms around his mom.
"I cut my ties, I sold my rings I wanted none of this"
Loco in street clothes talking to Anarchy who are in their gear.
"If you start from scratch and have to sing, Just for the fun of it"
Loco is now in some training gear working with Anarchy. Purple Haze in the background. We zoom on the joy etched on his face.
"I’ll be alright, if I could just see you Come up for air, come up for air,"
Loco in the pool swimming butterfly. Gets to the wall. Panting for breath.
"A miracle mile where does it lead to? Come up for air, come up for air,"
A shot of the Master of the Mat bracket. Flickers of the other men still left in the tournament.
"I feel the air upon my face, forget the mess I’m in Hold me again, don’t count mistakes, I lost track of them"
Loco walking up the Epicenter ramp after losing a match with his career on the line. Eyes wet with tears as he takes in the crowd for what he thought was the last time.
"I’ll be alright, if I could just see you Come up for air, come up for air,"
Darkened Epicenter. A lone spotlight shines down upon the Ring. Its a beacon calling, taunting, teasing…
"A miracle mile where does it lead to? Come up for air, come up for air,"
A shot of the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship on Donovan King’s shoulder.
"I was in the mud, I was in the dirt Went underground and I thought what I was worth"
Loco sitting in his makeshift office inside his apartment. His body language and eyes scream "get me out of here".
"All alone and I know I can’t stay, but We’re walking up and down the streets to stay awake"
A shot of an empty trophy case. The fluorescent light inside the case flickers and goes out.
"Come up for air, come up for air, come up Come up for air, come up for air, come up"
Back inside the locker room. Loco stares at those boots. His cheshire cat grin spreads across his face as he pulls out his old friends for another dance.
The Music fades and the Master of the Mat logo fades into focus and yellow script swoops over the top and writes out the audio from Loco at Dominion that plays:
"One… Two… Loco’s COMING FOR YOU!"
Eryk Masters: We’ve had a great night so far, and it’s not over yet!
Other Guy: That’s right, we’re about to see one of the tag team tournament matches kick off. And we will be graced with the presence of the LEGENDARY LUCHADORE OF VERMONT, El Asso Wipo! And, of course, champion breath holder, Silas Mitchell.
Eryk Masters: You need professional help. Speaking of professional help, their opponents tonight are a tandem that, frankly, creeps a lot of people out.
The arena is plunged into darkness so solid that the fans can’t see their hands in front of their faces. The beginning of You’ve Seen the Butcher begins to play and the SHOOTtron flickers to life with the image of a beautiful young woman. She doesn’t stay beautiful for long as the flesh of her face begins to swell and turn a sick bruised purple. After a few seconds, the face is a mass of yellowing bruises and swelling. The flesh begins to peel from her face in chunks. The visage left behind is a half-rotted skull. The shot zooms in a dead, purpled tongue falls from the mouth of the skull. A single word is carved into the tongue.
SCAR.
The song kicks into full gear and the lights of the arena go to their full brightness for a split second before the arena is plunged into darkness, save for a single spotlight on the entrance stage. Standing in that spotlight are Kenji Yamada and Flay Rios. Flay stands in front of Kenji, almost cowering, while Kenji stands tall, glaring down at the ring.
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a Tag Team Tournament match. Introducing first, representing Project: SCAR, the team of FLAY RIOS AND KENJIII YAMAADAAA!!!
Flay tries to turn back, but Kenji grabs her by the hair and SHOVES her forward, causing her to almost fall down the ramp.
Eryk Masters: The relationship between these two is just sick, OG. Look at the way Kenji makes her dress for a match.
Other Guy: It’s more than that, Masters. He kicks her around like a dog. The worst part is that it’s what she likes. I don’t know if it gets more twisted than these two.
Kenji stalks towards the ring, practically kicking Flay, whose upper body is simply wrapped in tape from her chest down to her waist, down the ramp in front of him.
When they get to the ring, Kenji grabs Flay by her hair and SLINGS her underneath the bottom rope. Kenji then climbs up onto the apron and steps between the ropes. The fans let out thunderous boos in the direction of the SCAR members. Flay shrinks backward, but Kenji stays stone faced, ignoring the people.
Eryk Masters: I really don’t know what else to say about these two, OG. It’s just sickening.
Other Guy: I have no sympathy for either of them or their backs. Flay gets exactly what she wants if you hear her tell it. And they’re about to get ALL TCHA’D UP!
You’ve Seen the Butcher fades out and the opening chords of Wonderboy by Tenacious D begin to play over the speakers. The crowd absolutely loses it for the LEGENDARY LUCHADORE and CHAMPION BREATH HOLDER of the SHOOT Project!
El Asso Wipo and Silas Mitchell walk out onto the stage. Wipo takes a heroic pose, while Silas stands there looking toward SCAR with silent fury.
Samantha Coil: And their opponents, hailing from the GREAT STATE OF VERMONT, the team of EL ASSO WIPO and SILAS MITCHELL, they are VERMOOONT’S FIIINEEEST!!!
The crowd continues to cheer and sing along with the music as Vermont’s Finest makes their way to the ring.
Eryk Masters: You can’t take these guys lightly. Comedic antics aside, El Asso Wipo and Silas Mitchell can get it done in the ring.
Other Guy: They can do more than that, Masters! They are HEROES!
Eryk Masters: Riiighht.
Vermont’s Finest walk to the ring. Silas silently touches fists with fans on his way to the ring while Wipo is more exuberant about it. As the two reach the ring, Wipo makes an exaggerated motion and points toward Flay and Kenji.
Other Guy: Here it comes!
Eryk Masters: Oh, god.
Crowd & Other Guy: TUUUUUUUUU!!
Wipo and Silas enter the ring while the crowd continues to sing Wonderboy at the top of their lungs. The music fades out and Scott Kamura gives his instructions to both teams. Wipo tells Silas that he’s going to start the match as Silas steps over the top tope and stands on the apron in his corner. Kenji steps between the ropes without speaking a word, leaving Flay cowering in the corner.
Scott Kamura calls for the bell. Wipo stands with his hands on his hips, but Flay refuses to move forward.
Eryk Masters: And it looks like we’ll have Flay Rios and Wipo starting the match off.
Other Guy: And Flay wants no part of Wipo. I don’t blame her. He breaks backs!
Eryk Masters: Will you give it a rest!
Other Guy: Heh. You’re just jealous of my LEGENDARY journalistic skills.
Kenji shoves Flay forward. Wipo advances for a tie up, but she shrinks back into her corner. Kenji grabs Flay by her hair and SHOVES her forward again. Flay finally advances to tie up with Wipo. Wipo quickly uses his weight advantage to throw Flay back into the corner. Wipo flexes his muscles and strikes another hero pose.
Flay cowers in the corner, but Kenji whispers something to her and shoves her back out towards Wipo. Wipo grabs Flay in a headlock and takes her over. He releases and gets back to his feet, motioning for Flay to come at him again. Flay uses her hands and feet to backpedal into the corner. Kenji grabs her by the hair and YANKS her to her feet, shoving her forward again.
Eryk Masters: Flay Rios is terrified right now, OG. This is hard to watch.
Other Guy: Yeah, but how long until she flies into one of those psycho rages, E?
Flay moves forward again and Wipo starts chopping at her chest with knife-edged chops. Flay is backed up by their force but it is apparent from her face that she can barely feel the effect. Kenji shouts something at her and she moves forward a bit more willingly. Wipo catches Flay with a hip toss, sending her into the Vermont’s Finest corner. Wipo brings Flay to her feet and tags in Silas. “The Silence” steps over the top rope into the ring. Wipo holds Flay’s arm up, but Silas just stares at Wipo.
Silas: ……?
Wipo: Yes, you have to hit her!
Silas: ………?
Wipo: Because she’s our opponent!
Silas plants a boot into Flay’s stomach. She doubles over, but it is clear that the pain isn’t on a level she enjoys. Silas Irish whips Flay into the ropes, but she hangs on before she bounces off. Flay cocks her head to the side with a semi-feral look on her face. Kenji notices this and begins to smile.
Flay starts to advance, her voice trembling with rage.
Flay: Stop…TeaSING… ME!
Flay LEAPS forward, wrapping her legs around Silas’ waist and begins to rain elbows down at his face and neck. After a few elbow shots, Flay begins to headbutt Silas repeatedly. Silas staggers backward, right into the SCAR corner! Kenji SLAPS Flay in the side, tagging himself in. Still, she continues to rain down elbows. Referee Scott Kimura tries to interject himself and begins his count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Kenji grabs Flay and THROWS her off Silas onto the canvas right before the count of five. Kenji fires a few shoulders into Silas’ midsection. He walks out of the corner and grabs Flay by her cheeks. He offers a smile full of bad intentions. He takes Flay by the shoulders and RAMS her into Silas over and over like a human battering ram!
Eryk Masters: That is just… disturbing. Kenji is using Flay Rios as a weapon. And from the looks of things, she’s enjoying it.
Other Guy: He calls that Battery, E. Which is really sick if you think about it.
Kenji tosses Flay aside like she is nothing. She climbs out of the ring with a glossy look in her eyes. Kenji fires several shots at Silas before Irish whipping him into the corner and catching him with a quick leg lariat. Kenji stalks back to his corner and SLAPS Flay right in the face as a tag. She steps through the ropes with no hesitation and Kenji IMMEDIATELY sets her up in a suplex position. Kenji looks over his shoulder, but sees that Silas has rolled away towards his corner. BUT KENJI STILL SNAP SUPLEXES FLAY over to the mat. Flay arches her back and her eyes roll to the back of her head in ecstacy.
Eryk Masters: What the hell, man?! Kenji SAW Silas move and he still went for that.
Other Guy: I think it’s clear how little regard he has for his “partner’s” well being here, E.
Kenji steps back out onto the apron. Flay slowly gets to her feet just as Silas tags in Wipo. Flay immediately charges him and leaps up, firing elbow after elbow into his face. Wipo ducks the last one, and as Flay turns back around, he clotheslines her to the mat. Wipo picks her back up and hoists her in the air!
Other Guy: Well, Flay’s made him mad, now! HERE IT COMES!
Eryk Masters: Don’t say it!
Wipo brings Flay crashing down across his knee with a HUGE backbreaker!
Wipo, Crowd & Other Guy: TCHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Wipo makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Kenji stomps the back of Wipo’s head, breaking it up. Referee Scott Kimura admonishes Kenji as he backs into his corner and steps back onto the apron. Wipo glares at Kenji. He turns around to face Flay, who again just LAUNCHES herself at him and headbutts him. Wipo staggers back toward the SCAR corner. Flay grabs the sides of Wipo’s mask and rams her head into his over and over, dazing him. Flay tags in Kenji who immediately steps through the ropes and kicks Wipo in the midsection.
Kenji SNAPS Wipo over with a quick suplex. Flay is stepping out of the ring, but Kenji quickly grabs her and hooks her head in a DDT position. He stands directly over Wipo and DROPS down with a DDT, Flay’s head connecting with Wipo’s!
Eryk Masters: Another shameless use of his partner as a weapon by Kenji Yamada. This is getting sicker by the minute. At least he actually connected with his opponent this time.
Other Guy: He calls that on Headhunter. And as disturbing as this tandem is, it’s pretty effective, E.
Flay rolls out of the ring as Kenji makes the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!!
Silas makes the save this time! Scott Kimura is shouting at Silas to get out of the ring. “The Silence” complies without a word of argument.
Kenji brings Wipo to his knees and fires a fist to the jaw… THAT HAS NO EFFECT! Wipo simply glares up at Kenji! Kenji fires another fist at Wipo, but Wipo jumps to his feet, shaking his head and pumping his fists!
Other Guy: HE’S WIPOING UP!!!
Eryk Masters: Oh, god.
Wipo stops in the center of the ring and points his finger in Kenji’s face.
Wipo & Crowd: TUUUUUUUUU-
Kenji rushes forward and nearly decapitates Wipo with a huge Yakuza kick! He launches himself forward and fires an elbow into the jaw of Silas, sending him off the apron. Kenji gets into position over a prone Wipo and hoists him up!
DEEP SCAR!!!
Eryk Masters: That’s gonna be it.
Other Guy: No doubt about it, E. No doubt about it.
But Kenji doesn’t go for the cover. Instead, he looks over at Flay, who is looking positively rabid on the ring apron. A nasty smile forms on Kenji’s face. He stalks over and tags in Flay, who quickly ascends to the top turnbuckle. She stands up there with her back to the ring and her arms spread wide. Flays is howling at the top of her lungs in a primal scream.
Eryk Masters: What the hell is going on here?
Other Guy: I have no idea, but I don’t think I like it.
Kenji lifts himself onto the second turnbuckle and grabs Flay’s arms in a crucifix powerbomb position. He steps up to the top turnbuckle, holding Flay in position.
Eryk Masters: Oh. My. God. This is just… I have no words.
Other Guy: This is sick is what it is, E. Flay is dangerously high up there. This could damn near kill her.
Kenji LEAPS from the top rope and absolutely DRIVE Flay into Wipo with all his might with a crucifix powerbomb! The crowd collectively gasps before raining down heavy boos onto Kenji and Flay. Flay is convulsing on the canvas in absolute ecstasy. Kenji gets to his feet and drags Flay onto Wipo and steps out of the ring. Scott Kimura has no choice but to make the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Scott Kimura calls for the bell and this one is over.
Samantha Coil: Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners, advancing in the Tag Team Tournament, FLAY RIOS AND KENJI YAMADAAA!!!!
Scott Kimura raises Flay’s arm, but Kenji quickly chases him away. He digs his hands into an unconscious Flay’s hair and smiles.
Kenji: My angel.
As You’ve Seen the Butcher plays again, Kenji drags Flay out of the ring and tosses her unconscious body over his shoulder and stalks back up the ramp.
Eryk Masters: I’ve got to tell you that was disturbing. I shudder to think of what is going to happen next time we see these two in action.
Other Guy: I’ve just gotten word that Kenji calls that finisher Angeldust. And that just makes it more disturbing to know that, if it’s got a name, he’ll use it again. Moving on to other things, we’ve still got our main event tonight, so stay tuned folks.
Outside a smaller locker room that simply says "GUEST" on the front, DUTCH HARRIS, with microphone in hand stands next to JONNY JOHNSON. The fans in the arena IMMEDIATELY and VERY AUDIBLY CHEER but Jonny doesn’t look as thrilled or excited as he did earlier coming into the building. He keeps his head straight forward and professional, while Dutch introduces the segment.
Dutch Harris: Well, ladies and gentleman, we are now, literally just moments away from a CRUCIAL Master of the Mat bout between Lunatikk Crippler and Valentine Lionheart… the WINNER of the match, going on to the quarter finals to face none other than my guest at this time… JONNY JOHNSON.
Another large cheer erupts from the crowd, and Jonny nods.
Dutch Harris: Jonny, as you probably had to expect, your return to SHOOT, thus far, is being picked apart with as fine a tooth comb as fine tooth combs come. Drama… intrigue… they just seem to follow you.
Jonny shakes his head and cuts Dutch off before he can even get to a question.
Jonny: That’s stupid. Nothing FOLLOWS me, Dutch. That’s not how that shit works. If people want to waste THEIR time trying to decide what I’M going to do after I’ve already said it… after I’ve told them? Then… then what? What do I do, Dutch?
He looks at Harris, sincerely.
Jonny: I’m serious, man. Fuck. What am I supposed to do? Huh? I just wanted the chance to say goodbye. That’s it. That’s all, but you fucking idiots are already doing everything you can to ruin that for me. (Shrugging) I came here to support the show and to watch a main event that has GIANT ramifications for me.
Harris stops Jonny.
Dutch Harris: Sure, but Jonny, with all do respect, this wouldn’t be the first time you’re telling us to look away. And with the stuff with your family that lea…
He doesn’t like where this is heading and quickly interrupts AGAIN.
Jonny: You leave my family OUT OF IT, okay? Whatever shit that made its way onto the internet. It happened. I made a mistake. It’s between me, my wife, and my daughter…
He takes a second to collect himself and carefully consider his next words.
Jonny: As for the other stuff… That’s as much WHO I AM as it is who you WANT ME TO BE. I’ve loved this business, Dutch. Loved this organization. Too much, even, man. SO MUCH that I didn’t think anyone could ever love it the RIGHT WAY. You get that idea stuck in your head… with anything… bad things can happen, and I’ve tried to make amends with those things. I accept that I’ve done every horrible thing you tell me I’ve done.
He pauses.
Jonny: I do, Dutch. But I can’t be responsible for your curiosity. I CANNOT be held accountable for YOUR obsessions. If you can’t sleep at night knowing I’m around… If you can’t stop thinking about ME. If these young kids in the back somehow think this tournament is rigged and that I’m what… that I’ve been plotting some sort of revenge fantasy against Donovan King? That I laid low for five years for JUST. THIS. MOMENT? HA. I’m at peace with King, and I don’t need revenge. I CAN’T be a World Champion.
He stares at Dutch as though he was single handedly representing every single wrestling fan alive.
Jonny: I made it very clear what I was here to do. I’m here to win. I’m here to win four matches, Dutch. Heh…. I’ve done a lot of things, but I’ve never won Master of the Mat. Fuck, man, I’ve never COMPETED in Master of the Mat.
So I wanted to do that. And I wanted to say goodbye. I wanted the chance that most wrestlers can only ever dream about. To leave this sport with dignity. Fighting.
I’ve been afforded that opportunity.
He pauses again, making sure everything properly sinks in.
Jonny: I might never be a great hero, but I can at least try to be a decent human being. Speculate on my fucking "heel turn" all you want. Speculate on the dream matches you THINK I’m salivating over… But as far as I’m concerned… I only have one thing to say right now.
Crip… Valentine…
Good luck.
And I’ll see one of you very soon.
Jonny doesn’t allow for Harris to say another word, turning his back on the interview, and exiting back into his locker room.
The scene fades in to the ring. Sammy Rochester stumbles out from the back. He looks even more disheveled than normal. He’s wearing the same ring attire he wore when he lost to Jacob Mephisto at Reckoning Day. His face still even has remnants of the face paint. He looks dazed and confused. The crowd boos, and oddly enough, Sammy reacts with what appears to be fear.
Other Guy: This is…this is a strange sight.
Eryk Masters: Sammy Rochester is here folks, and…he does not look good.
Sammy looks to the right and left of him, not sure how to react to all the booing people. He stays in the center of the aisle as much as possible, trying his hardest to not come into contact with the booing fans. He walks around the ring and approaches Samantha Coil, very carefully, as if she is somehow dangerous. He points to the microphone. Samantha looks very nervous. She tosses it to Sammy, not wanting to get too close to the ever unpredictable man child.
Eryk Masters: Sammy Rochester looks terrified, OG. I have no idea what is going on.
Sammy walks up the ring ropes and enters the ring. He pats the microphone, making sure it’s working. He looks at the booing people, still not sure how to react.
Sammy Rochester: I…I…I…wh-wh-why? The crowd boos more. The camera does a close up of Sammy Rochester, and it almost looks like he is about to cry.
Sammy Rochester: I’m…I…I’m lost. I am…I am lost. I don’t know what to do, and…why? Why do you guys hate me? Wha…what did I do to you? I didn’t do anything to you. Why do you hate me so much?
Sammy lowers the microphone, looking out at the crowd as if they will somehow answer. They just boo, and a few even laugh.
Sammy Rochester: Is it because I failed? Is it because I am a failure? I lost to Jacob Mephisto. I lost to him. I said he couldn’t beat me, and he did. He knocked me unconscious. He took my championship. He…he took one of the only things I had and…and I don’t know what to do. I feel so…I feel so alone. I feel so empty.
Is that why you all hate me? Because I am a loser. Because I am a failure?
Sammy looks down at the ground. You can see his eyes getting wet.
Sammy Rochester: You should hate me. Losers should be hated. I am a loser.
Jester Smiles: No you aren’t, Sammy.
Sammy turns to the entrance ramp. Jester Smiles stands at the top, microphone in hand, making his way to the ring. He is wearing the Donovan King “All Hail The King” t-shirt and blue jeans
Jester Smiles: Sammy, you aren’t a loser. You lost one time. That doesn’t make you a loser. You fought really hard, Sammy. You did really good.
Jester walks up the ring steps, lowering the microphone and speaking to Sammy off the mic. Sammy turns his back, looking ashamed.
Other Guy: This is weird, Eryk.
Jester Smiles: Sammy, it’s gonna be okay.
Jester steps over the ring ropes.
Jester Smiles: Just…just come home Sammy. Come back home.
Sammy shakes his head.
Sammy Rochester: I don’t deserve a nice home or a good friend, Eric. I’m a loser. I’m a big loser and I don’t deserve anything. I…I lost Eric. I made you wrong. I made us look stupid. I am such a fucking lo-
Jester Smiles: Cut that shit out Sammy.
Sammy jumps. He turns to Eric, looking a little bit hurt.
Jester Smiles: Sammy Rochester, you are one of the biggest, scariest mother fuckers in. This. Business. You are raw, untapped talent, and you are still in the Sin City Championship series. So Mephisto beat you. You know what his FIRST thought was? Was he worth it. Could he REALLY have beaten you in a singles match?
Could he have Sammy?
Sammy looks away.
Sammy Rochester: Well…I…I don-
Jester Smiles: Fuck no he couldn’t have! You are SAMMY ROCHESTER. You are the monster that Project: SCAR wishes they could be. Pure rage. Pure power. People step in the ring with you and they instantly feel the weight of the situation. They drown in their own helplessness. So you lost one match. You were beaten for the Sin City Championship.
Now you get back up. Now you get back out there.
And now you win the whole Sin City Championship Series. You break their heroes. You maim their monsters.
And you show Jacob Mephisto that his win WAS a fluke.
Because you are a WINNER, Sammy. You are a CHAMPION. You are going to be the greatest thing SHOOT Project has ever seen.
And these people…
Jester motions to the crowd, which elicits a loud chorus of boos.
Jester Smiles: These people are morons.
LOUDER boos.
Jester Smiles: Fuck them. Fuck their booing. Fuck them if they hate you. You should hate them. Look at them. I mean, really Sammy, look at them.
Sammy looks around, still feeling timid.
Jester Smiles: THESE fucking people have an opinion you care about? These idiots matter to you?
Oh my god the booing is so loud. Jester is practically yelling in the mic to be heard.
Jester Smiles: Fuck them. Fuck the other competitors. Fuck all of SHOOT Project. This isn’t about them, Sammy. They are ALL against us.
But they are against US! We are together, Sammy, because we are friends, and friends take care of each other. And when the world stands against us, we both unite and use all the strength that WE have, and it’s a FUCKTON Sammy, and we fucking end them. We fucking end them all.
Sammy looks straight at Jester. He walks over to Jester, dropping his microphone. He reaches out, grabs Jester, and pulls him in for a hug. Jester drops his microphone and hugs back. It’s an odd scene for a moment. The crowd boos heavily while two men, one six foot six and one over seven foot tall, hugging. After a moment, Jester says something to Sammy that the cameras do not pick up and they both exit the ring and make their way up the entrance. Sammy wipes tears from his eyes and Jester leads the way, a sly smile on his face.
Other Guy: I…I don’t really have words.
Eryk Masters: Yeaaaah. Let’s just go on to something else for now.
Other Guy: You know what time it is folks?
Eryk Masters: It’s main event time.
Other Guy: Or is that Mane-Event?
Eryk Masters: What? And why are you looking at me like a demented rapist?
Other Guy: MANE…EVENT!
Eryk Masters: Stop looking at me like that. And yes I know it’s the main event.
Other Guy: You are hard to work with you know that! I said MANE-EVENT. You know, Lion’s Mane. Lionheart!? Get it.
Eryk Masters: You are an idiot. You really are. I honestly do not know what to say…Lets just head over to Samantha Coil and get this one underway, before I slap you.
Samantha Coil: The following contest is a second round match in the 2013 Master of the Mat tournament.
The lights in the arena slowly dim until they reach pitch darkness, A spot light appears in the centre highlighting Valentine Lionheart who is standing still as the opening beats of "Salt on Everything" By Sole kick in.
Other Guy: What is he wearing?
The fans boo loudly as they notice that Valentine is wearing a Lunatikk Crippler T-Shirt; only a strip of Gaffer tape covers the word Lunatikk. In it’s place stands the correct spelling of the word “Lunatic” and some scribble stating “Please do your Homework.”
Eryk Masters: What a sign of utter disrespect by the Orion member.
Lionheart then slowly and methodically walks down to the ring with a sneer inscribed across his face.
Other Guy: I had a talk with Valentine’s PA; Nicole Compton and she filled me in on Valentine’s training schedule, this guy right here is an absolute beast.
Eryk Masters: How on earth did you get to talk to her?
Other Guy: I followed her home. Got a problem with that?
Valentine rolls under the ropes and into the ring before standing dead centre; his eyes looking straight down the ramp, awaiting his opponent.
Samantha Coil: From London, England…Representing Orion; he is “The Omega Messiah”…VALENTINE LIONHEART!
“Yeah, I get it
You’re an outcast
Always under attack
Always coming in last
Brining up the past
No one owes you anything
I think you need a shotgun blast
A kick in the ass
So paranoid
WATCH YOUR BACK”
"Sound of Madness" continues to play, and the fans are going INSANE. Lunatikk Crippler comes out from behind the curtain, ready for war, power walking his way down to the ring.
Other Guy: Crippler is here, and he’s ready for WAR.
Eryk Masters: These two have had harsh words for each other all week long. It’s a tournament like Master of the Mat that can turn two total strangers into mortal enemies.
The look on Crippler’s face agrees with that statement. If looks could kill, Valentine would be without a heartbeat. Crippler rolls into the ring, looking to go right after Lionheart, but the ref stops him, pushing him back.
Samantha Coil: And his opponent…From South Bend, Indiana…He is the “Whole Fucked Up Show!” LUNATIKK CRIPPLER!!!
Eryk Masters: The time for talking is over. These two opinionated fighters will finally lock it up tonight.
Valentine Lionheart stands in his corner, cold and calculated; his eyes do not wander or move as he stares across the ring and to his opponent; the one and only Lunatikk Crippler, who paces back and forth, fists clenched and eyes firmly locked on Lionheart.
Eryk Masters: You could literally cut the tension here with a knife.
Other Guy: God no. Whatever you do; do not throw a knife in there Eryk! These two are likely to carve eachother up.
Eryk Masters: I think that’s a given, knife or not; there was no love lost between these two.
Referee Tony Lorenzo stands in the centre of the ring; he looks over at Crippler and then back at Valentine before shaking his head and calling for the bell.
DING. DING. DING!
Both men quickly make a beeline for the centre of the ring, they do so in such a swift motion that they instantly come to blows, kicking off the action within mere seconds of the bell ringing.
A left shot from Valentine is followed by a right hand from Crippler. LEFT.RIGHT.LEFT.RIGHT.LEFT .RIGHT. LEFT! Both men hitting a flurry of hitting punches, just taking lumps out of eachother with each concentrated shot.
Crippler slams a huge forearm straight to Valentine’s chest. Lionheart returns the favour with a punch to the gut, followed by a left hook that rocks Crippler a little.
Other Guy: It seems from that exchange that Valentine is a south paw. You have to look out for his left hand.
Crippler doesn’t waste any time after the left hook and throws a hard punch of his own straight to Valentine’s jaw. Lionheart takes a step back shaking the punch off as Crippler charges with another huge forearm that pushes Valentine into the ropes.
Valentine flies back off of the ropes with a hellacious clothesline that turns Crippler inside out. But upon landing on the mat Crippler slams his hand down hard in defiance and hops straight back, getting in real close to Valentine; Crippler wraps his arms around Valentine’s waist and pops his hips sending Valentine up and over with a picture perfect Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex.
Eryk Masters: Crippler may give up size to Valentine; but he knows how to use his hips in order to pull off a Suplex like that on a larger opponent.
Valentine hits the mat and rolls back, turning to face Crippler from a kneeling position. Crippler charges at the kneeling Lionheart. Valentine then springs up from the floor into the air with a colossal Thai Knee to the sternum; Crippler stumbles back and Valentine charges in with a right and then a left hand; knocking Lunnatikk Crippler back into the corner.
Lionheart swings for another, but Crippler ducks through and under his arm; he then pushes Valentine into the corner where he unloads with a succession of knife edge chops straight to the chest. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! The chops welt and bruise the towering Brit’s chest; as a look of rage comes across the man once known to many as “Darkside.”
Other Guy: When two men go back and forth like this. What would you do Eryk to turn the tide?
Eryk Masters: I am not sure there is anything that you can do to turn the tide. Crippler has that never say die attitude. We have seen him go all out on more than one occasion to get the job done and he will literally stop at nothing to put his opponent in the ground. While Valentine is a well-oiled machine; he is like The Terminator with his nihilistic mind set, add to that he is incredibly athletic for his size and has a training regime second to none.
With widened eyes Valentine lunges forward out of the corner taking hold of Lunatikk Crippler with both arms and sweeps him to the mat with a thunderous STO that literally shakes the ring; once on the mat Valentine scrambles for Cripplers left arm trying to lock in a submission; But the Indiana native rolls away and quickly returns to a vertical base, as does Valentine.
Crippler is the first to act. He rushes forward with a right hook and then spins with a back-fist that connects to Valentine’s face. Lionheart pulls his arms up in guard. Sensing he may have hurt his opponent Lunatikk Crippler throws a swinging kick.
But Valentine steps in with sudden movement, pulling Crippler in close by the leg before lifting him high, up and down to the mat with an overhead Clutch Suplex! SMASH! Crippler bounces off the mat hard and rolls away upon landing as if trying to create distance between himself and Valentine.
Eryk Masters: That’s ring awareness right there. Crippler visibly had the wind taken out of him when he crunched to the mat like that. But he still had the smarts to roll to the other side of the ring. Now while it may not look like much to the untrained eye; not only will Valentine now have to follow him, but any submission or pin attempt will be broken by the ring ropes.
Other Guy: Here I was thinking he just enjoyed rolling around; because, well you know, He’s nuts. I used to do that sort of thing as a kid; I would roll from the top of the hill to the bottom. Sometimes, when I am alone…I still do that.
Eryk Masters: O…K…Thanks for that insightful comment. I am sure the fans at home will sleep safe in the knowledge that you like to roll down hills.
Other Guy: Sleep safe? You know they are going to be trying it themselves. And you, for that matter.
Valentine soaks in the chorus of boos that resounds throughout the Epicentre as he stands tall looking down at Crippler. He then raises his arms posing arrogantly as the jeers and chants continue.
Eryk Masters: I am not sure posing and playing to the crowd is such a good idea.
Other Guy: Look at the guy; he is like a Dark Adonis; he can pose wherever he damn well pleases.
Eryk Masters: Dark Adonis!? Where on earth did you get that from?
Other Guy: I may or may not have shared a drink with that Maximus guy the other week.
Lionheart then stalks Crippler who is still lying dormant on the mat; as he approaches and leans to grab hold of Crippler; the former Sin City Champion pulls Valentine’s right arm and then wraps his legs either side of Valentine’s torso locking him into a cross arm breaker variation.
Eryk Masters: A well-played “possum” there by Crippler.
Other Guy: And a standing Arm Bar to boot. That has to hurt.
Eryk Masters: That it does, if you see the pressure is all on Valentine’s shoulder, while his elbow joint is also being torqued. Also if Valentine drops to the mat it will be game over; so he needs to hang onto that vertical base.
Crippler positions himself so that only one of his shoulders is on the mat; the last thing he wants is to be pinned while trying to submit his opponent. Valentine reaches forward for the ropes, but Crippler has created too much distance by placing his body between Valentine and the ropes.
Lionheart swings down with his free hand trying to strike at Crippler, but it is no use; Lunatikk Crippler is just out of reach and is now really tugging and wrenching on the hold. Tony Lorenzo steps in asking Valentine if he gives; to which the Orion member replies “Fuck You!” Crippler pulls and pulls like a rabid dog trying to literally rip Valentine’s arm out of its socket.
Other Guy: If this keeps up we will not be able to tell Valentine apart from the one armed bandit slot machines.
Valentine looks at his arm and the hold in he shakes his head in what could be disbelief; before then taking his free arm and reaching down. Here Valentine grans hold of his own wrist while rocking backwards slowly lifting Lunatikk Crippler off the mat with the submission hold still in place.
Lionheart grimaces as he hoists Crippler up into the air with one short sharp motion before lunging down into a seated position dropping Lunatikk Crippler square on the back of his head and neck. “Ooooh!” the crowd gasp as Crippler slams into the mat releasing the submission instantly upon impact.
Valentine sits back clutching his arm as Crippler lays spread eagle in the centre of the ring.
Eryk Masters: That could have broken Lunatikk Cripplers neck!
Other Guy: You know what they say “An Arm for a Neck.”
Eryk Masters: It’s “Eye for an eye.”
Other Guy: Not in this case.
Valentine holds his shoulder and glares at Crippler with unadulterated hatred as he backs up trying to create distance so he can rest his arm. He shakes it out and feels around his shoulder and elbow; checking for any long lasting damage or swelling. Crippler on the other hand begins to stir, it seems the dunk on the head and neck may have knocked him out cold for a few seconds. He holds his neck and rolls away trying to regain his composure.
Eryk Masters: These two are literally on the opposite side of the ring after that exchange.
Other Guy: And what an exchange it was. They have been kicking the crap out of eachother tonight.
Lionheart pulls himself up using the ropes; he shakes his arms once again trying to get the blood flow and feeling back into his arm as Crippler slowly begins to rise.
Eryk Masters: How are these to even able to stand?
Valentine spots his groggy opponent, takes a bounce off the ropes and charges at him full speed. He jumps aiming for another Thai Knee, but somehow Crippler dodges the move, sending Valentine crashing into the referee.
Other Guy: Luckily for Tony Lorenzo; it was only Valentine’s frame that smashed into him and not his knee.
Valentine spins and walks right into a palm thrust from Crippler that sends him back against the ropes. Crippler gets in close looking for another Belly to Belly Suplex when Valentine drops to his Knees and crunches a heavy hitting low blow straight to Cripplers groin.
Other Guy: Looks like we won’t be seeing any “Little Lunatikks” For quite some time after that shot.
Lionheart stands, grinning from ear to ear as he looks down at his fallen foe. “IT’S OVER!” He shouts before hoisting Crippler onto his shoulders. Valentine looks straight into the jeering irate crowd and then spins Crippler of his shoulders and down face first into the mat with his patented Valentine’s Day Massacre finishing manoeuvre.
Valentine then slithers over Lunatikk Crippler with a look of pure ecstasy etched into his face as Referee Tony Lorenzo finally becomes aware of what’s going on.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Samantha Coil: Here is your winner. And advancing to the next round of the Master of the Mat tournament….VALENTINE!!!! LIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOONHEAAAAAAAAAARRRRTTTTTT.
“Salt on everything” by Sole kicks in over the speakers as Valentine leers back onto his knees, still clutching his right arm from the incredibly nasty submission hold applied by Lunatikk Crippler.
Other Guy: Wow. What a freaking match.
Eryk Masters: That it was, but one has to wonder what would have happened if Tony Lorenzo hadn’t been taken down like that. Valentine wouldn’t have been able to hit the low blow.
Other Guy: If Crippler hadn’t of moved out of the way then Valentine would have kneed him square in the face. It was only a matter of time.
Eryk Masters: Without the low blow. Crippler would have won this one.
Valentine then looks dead at the screen, his cold blue eyes looking almost white under the bright lights inside the Epicentre. Here he point’s straight down the camera lens and mouths “I’m coming for you Johnson!” as the camera fades to black.
“Y’ALL AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET.”
Those words explode over the PA as Fat Joe’s “Fight Club” hits, signaling the arrival of none other than the SHOOT Project Owner and CEO, Jason Johnson. The crowd comes alive as the owner makes his way to the top of the ramp, though he has no smile or anything resembling happiness across his face.
Eryk Masters: Well, this was announced last week. Jason’s here to make a statement regarding Project: SCAR and hopefully he’ll let us know if his brother is going to be okay.
Other Guy: In a lot of ways, Jason probably blames himself for what’s happened. We’ll see what he has to say.
Jason is, per the usual, dressed to the nine’s as you’d figure a CEO would be. He’s very calm and collected as he walks to the ring, but his face definitely has a scowl on it. He ignores everything and everyone as he makes his way down to the ring. With quickness, he climbs the stairs and stands in the ring. Samantha Coil walks to him, places her hand on his shoulder, and hands him a microphone.
Eryk Masters: Here we go.
Other Guy: The crowd is hushed, too. This is kind of unique.
Jason Johnson: Hey guys… First of all, apologies to Lunatikk Crippler and Valentine Lionheart, but I wanted to come out here and be really mad and angry or whatever. I wanted to throw profanity around and call out Project: SCAR and maybe I’ll get there, but right now… right now, I just want to talk to you guys.
Jason stands firmly in the center of the ring, his face still in a scowl, but as he himself stated, he’s very restrained.
Jason Johnson: A lot of this is my fault. I have a hands off approach because it’s my belief that the SHOOT Project can, for the most part, run itself. We issue bookings and let things go how they go. Most people follow that, most people understand the model and how it works, and it’s made both myself and them a great deal of money and garnered us a great deal of notoriety. They understand… well, understood, that I have the final word and that Josh and Sean are extensions of my word. The hand of the king, if you will.
Some in the crowd smile at the reference, but keep listening.
Jason Johnson: With Project: SCAR, it’s been somewhat the same. They pushed the envelope in some ways, but for the most part, they kept it within the very loose parameters that were set. I’m guessing that once they started deviating from that is when Adrian Corazon started to lose confidence in the group, and I’d guess that behind the scenes, though none of them would ever admit it, he may have been the one keeping the chaos somewhat reigned in.
The crowd is still hushed, still listening.
Jason Johnson: I don’t know if that’s actually true or not, but what I’ve seen really just lends credibility to that idea. They’ve become uncontrollable. You don’t have to look any farther back than last show cycle to see what I mean. They attacked a sitting member of the SHOOT Project board of directors and were completely unphased by that and by the possible consequences.
Jason’s scowl turns even angrier.
Jason Johnson: Yep. Found it. That callous disregard for the authority provided by the SHOOT Project is unacceptable, and sorry guys, but…
He smirks.
Jason Johnson: It stops now.
Eryk Masters: Here we go.
The crowd pops.
Jason Johnson: The other members of the board of directors wanted me to fire all your asses and have you all locked up. I think Josh mentioned that, too. I gave a lot of thought. A LOT. In fact, I’m prepared to fire every member of Project: SCAR right now. The paperwork is drawn up and just awaiting my signature. The fact is, though? I think I’m going to deviate from what the board wants, and this? He chuckles.
Jason Johnson: This is going to piss them off.
He leans on HIS ring ropes in HIS ring.
Jason Johnson: You see, what happens in the SHOOT Project, no matter what the committee looks like? It’s still my shit, you know? I’m going to profit off of this, and I’m going to make sure that I get my way. That’s the beautiful thing about being the boss, guys. I get to change the rules, and while you don’t necessarily have to follow them… it’s probably in your best interest to do so.
Other Guy: Has Jason gone insane?
Eryk Masters: The balls on this dude are huge, OG. He is in fact challenging Project: SCAR, right now.
Jason Johnson: Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to challenge Isaac Entragian or whoever to a match. That’s stupid and only bush league organizations do shit like that. But you know what I am going to do? I’m going to uncuff Adrian Corazon.
The crowd semi-pops, unsure of what Jason is suggesting. Eryk and OG have a bit of a better idea, though.
Eryk Masters: Oh no.
Other Guy: Is he… is he really going to do that?
Jason Johnson: And when I say uncuff, I mean REALLY uncuff. It is my executive order that from this point forward, no matter what Adrian Corazon does… no matter what action he takes… is SANCTIONED by the SHOOT PROJECT.
The crowd pops HUGE.
Eryk Masters: Oh my god.
Jason Johnson: That means if Corazon wants to carve smiley faces into every last one of your flesh? He can. If he wants to gouge your eyes out with a screwdriver? I’m allowing that, too. You guys remember when he gave Mike Dexter the impression that he was going to remove his kidney on live television?
Jason laughs.
Jason Johnson: Adrian Corazon is a man who has absolutely NOTHING to lose, and because of that I don’t give a fuck WHAT he does.
He looks directly into the camera.
Jason Johnson: If Corazon wants to dig up Kenji Yamada’s dead—
“Black Session” by Katatonia erupts over the sound system, interrupting the CEO of the SHOOT Project, who simply turns and faces the ramp and smiles. One by one, the contingent of Project: SCAR, Entragian, Yamada, Obsidian, Gaunt, and Rios emerges from the curtain; lead by Isaac Entragian and an enraged Kenji Yamada. As each member files out, they stand united at the top of the ramp. Collectively, they begin to walk down towards the ring.
Eryk Masters: Jason might be in big, big trouble here.
Other Guy: He HAD to know that he couldn’t just say that stuff without getting a response from them.
Eryk Masters: He’s testing the waters, for sure. He could end up in traction, just like Josh.
Jason flips the microphone down, and as it hits the ground it emits a loud pop. The crowd is booing SO loud at Project: SCAR, and while the rest of the ring crew is scattering, Jason Johnson is standing his ground.
Other Guy: I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s going to stand there and let them come down like this. He and Josh are one of a kind in their innate ability to be bullheaded and stubborn.
Eryk Masters: Hopefully he doesn’t get himself killed.
Project: SCAR has now surrounded the ring. Isaac Entragian is staring directly into the eyes of Jason Johnson who is defiantly glaring back. Collectively, they begin to collapse towards the ring, with Jason still standing his ground. As soon as one of them touches the ring apron, the lights go completely dark and the arena shrieks!
…
“I’M THE BADDEST MAN ALIVE”
THE CROWD GOES CRAZY.
Eryk Masters: HOLY SHIT.
Other Guy: THAT WAS SO LOUD.
Purple spotlights scour the arena, searching, looking for Adrian Corazon. They stop on one person with long hair. Then another. Then another… the contingent of SCAR is following the lights, ALSO looking for the Brutal and Inhuman. Then, pyro EXPLODES at the top of the ramp and the lights come up with ADRIAN CORAZON STANDING IN THE RING!!
Eryk Masters: He’s got an ASP in both of his hands, too.
Other Guy: Armed and dangerous.
Jason Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen… Adrian Corazon.
The crowd EXPLODES. As the crowd is cheering, Isaac Entragian makes a simple nod of his head to the rest of the group, signaling that perhaps this is not the time. They begin to walk back up the ramp, but Corazon has taken the mic.
Corazon: Wait.
The crowd goes into a hush and Project: SCAR turns back around. Entragian motions to the rest of them to leave and indicates that he’ll stay behind.
Corazon: That works. You’re the one I want to hear this anyway.
Kenji, Obsidian, Flay, and Liz disappear behind the curtain, leaving Isaac Entragian, Adrian Corazon, and Jason Johnson out on their own.
Corazon: Did you hear him, Isaac? Did you hear what Jason said? He said the cuffs were off… that whatever I do… it’s legal. Allowed. Whatever. Make sure you are CRYSTAL CLEAR on those words, Isaac, because I’m going to do you a favor.
Jason Johnson looks at Corazon with a bit of a puzzled expression on his face.
Corazon: I’m going to extend you that same courtesy. You want to play THIS game? With ME? So be it.
The crowd pops huge and Jason does NOT look happy.
Corazon: Don’t worry, bossman. It’ll be okay.
Corazon smiles, smugly, and then grimaces a bit. Isaac continues to watch.
Corazon: My back is killing me, Entragian. I’m sure that pleases you, but here’s what’s not going to work for you. I recognize that all of this is my own fault. Everything that’s happened both to me and to the SHOOT Project… I did that. I didn’t have help doing it. I invited the demons into my house, and now the demons are running the asylum. That is my burden.
The crowd listens and Isaac pops a casual smile on his face.
Corazon: You’d be amazed at how many people have contacted me, though. They’re asking me if I want any help… if I need any back up.
Corazon chuckles.
Corazon: Thing is… I don’t trust anyone in this business anymore, and quite frankly? Nobody in this business should trust me, either. I have played both sides of the coin in my career, and I have seen some heinous and evil things go down. I believed that I had honor, and maybe… maybe in some ways I do, but Isaac? What you’ve done… what you’ve brought out in me… it’s ugly, Isaac. It’s disgusting and yet… it’s also a little beautiful.
Corazon looks at Isaac Entragian who still has a half smile on his face.
Corazon: So I’m going to tell you now exactly what I plan to do. I’m going to… not eliminate… but affect every member of Project: SCAR in some way. It will be my personal path of vengeance, and while I thought maybe I should just START with you personally… I realized that it wasn’t JUST you that lit my back on fire. It’s not JUST you that strung me up and watched my skin melt into ash.
Entragian’s smile has turned into a scowl.
Corazon: That means that I go after Flay. I go after Liz. Kenji. Erick. And then… when I’m done? Then I go after you. You will be my grand opus. My masterpiece. But first… I have to apologize to the SHOOT Project.
Corazon turns his back to Isaac Entragian and now addresses the crowd.
Corazon: I have been talking a lot about honor, these past few months. Talking about doing what I believe is right… what I believe is just. The thing about that is that honor is fickle. And for the next few months, I’ll warn you all and I’ll apologize to you all…
Corazon turns from them and looks back at Isaac Entragian, staring directly into his eyes.
Corazon: There is no honor in what happens next.
The crowd pops, and Isaac’s scowl contorts even more.
Corazon: I am feeling decidedly human, lately. The scars on my back tell the tale, but make no mistake, Entragian. Make no mistake… SCAR. I AM the SHOOT Project. I EMBODY the SHOOT Project.
I have BLED for this place.
I have SWEAT for this place.
I have CRIED for this place, and now?
And NOW? Heh…
I have BURNED for the SHOOT Project.
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge pop.
Corazon: I just don’t die, Isaac, and now… now you’re all marked. I will get my revenge. I will have my vengeance.
While I still stand…
While I still breathe…
I am ADRIAN CORAZON.
And I… am the BADDEST. MAN. ALIVE.
The show fades to black.
