Roster Introductions

[Pizza Ant]

Treat this as an introduction thread for your character or characters. You can cut one promo to help everyone get to know your character.

---

The owner of FPW, Jim Houston, walks down to the ring in front of the loud Chicago crowd. 

Jim: Welcome to Freedom Pro Wrestling!

The crowd erupts into "freedom" chants.

Jim: I know, I know, I retired not too long ago, but I can never stay away from wrestling for too long, so that's why I'm proud to announce that I'll be running this show from a show to show basis. Freedom Pro is all about showing the future of pro wrestling and boy, what a future it has. Our roster has everybody from Jerry "The Jester" Bishop to British standout Adam Thompson to the mysterious Azazel. But enough babbling from me, it's time for the roster to introduce themselves. Take it away guys!

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up in the locker room. Jerry Bishop is unpacking a backpack into his locker, taking out spare domino masks, gloves, pads, and comic books. He spots the camera, turns, and smiles.*

JB: Hi, everyone! I'm Jerry Bishop. I've come here from Rising Phoenix Federation in the far-away land of Denver, Colorado. ...Coloraydo? Ya know, I never did figure that out. Anyway, I'm here to make sure that Freedom Pro Wrestling puts on the best shows it possibly can. I've been in the ring with some prettay, prettay, prettay, prettay tough so-and-sos, and I can take whatever they throw at me. Historically speaking, what they've thrown at me has included a lead pipe, water balloons, a chair, my motorscooter, my tag team partners, and one time I got thrown into myself. Best not to ask. But I won't let that stop me! I'm going to make every match I'm in is the best thing you've ever seen! Or at least the best thing you've seen that year. ...okay, that month. Be fair, that week. I'm excited to be here, and I'll do my best not to let all you Freedom Fighters down! And anyone who steps in the ring with me is gonna find out why the Jester always gets the last laugh! Get it? Because that's the move I- Oh, it's not funny if I have to explain it. Can't wait to step in between the ropes and make my mark on FPW!

[Deleted]

Dasha Banks and her cameraman are strolling through the back stage area, having just left the men's locker room to head back to the ring for the remainder of the show. We here the camera ask Dasha if they should stop by the woman's locker room, but the only mic on is the cameras, leaving their slight conversation barely audible. We see Dasha shrug in response, and knock on the door. Athena opens it wide enough to pop her head out, and cock it to the side.

"-- I do for you two?" Athena asks, starting before Dasha's cameraman can get his audio recording going.

"We, or, well, I was wondering whether or not... You had anything you wanted to say to the fans of Freedom Pro Wrestling, Athena, as the only woman currently signed to the roster."

"... Not really." The woman replies, shaking her head, before she begins shutting the door. Dasha barely catches it with her foot, prompting a pause before Athena pokes her head back out.

"Nothing at all?" Banks asks quickly, "Fans are wondering what your message is, as a competitor; What you hope to do and how you're going to do it. You have nothing to say to those fans?"

Athena pauses, considering. "I am here to leave a hole the size of my foot in my opponent's skulls, and to win championships. There is no, 'Message.'" She begins shutting the door, again.

Dasha persists, though, "Don't you consider yourself a role model for young women hoping to get into FPW, though?"

Athena sighs, leaning back out one last time. "Don't join FPW if you're just starting your careers, aspiring young women wrestlers, because I will end you before you are even a thing. On the other hand, though, if you're looking to get beaten into an early retirement, you've come to the right place!" Athena stares Dasha down pointedly, giving the reporter a damned good reason to back away as she shuts the door.


Dasha's cameraman cuts his audio, but not before we hear Banks complaining about having to work with women who are hotter than her.

[Deleted]

We fade in to see a bearded man in a well-made suit sat on the apron of the Freedom Pro Wrestling ring. He looks to the side of the camera in a typical, yet well-practiced interview style and starts talking.

Suited man: My name is Adam Thompson from South Devon in England, I am 28 years old and I AM the Pendragon.

Adam's theme music starts quietly in the background as we cut to a collection of clips from some of his recent matches, included among them a shot for the PROGRESS Wrestling Atlas Championship and a bloody, violent match for the WCPW Hardcore Championship, Adam talking over the clips as they play.

Adam: I got an early start in wrestling about 10 years ago and the ball has been rolling ever since. I've fought and bled in just about every promotion in the British Isles, from WCPW to Progress, from OTT to ICW and there is not a single smark back home who doesn't know my name.

His bold statement is accompanied by the final clip, showing Adam put some poor bloke in trunks through a pile of light tubes with one of his signature moves: Motion Sickness, a vicious Release Vertical Suplex.

Adam: Is it true that people say I have an attitude problem? Yes, but I would like to state now that the words of people who're bitter about facing me and coming up short are nothing to pay attention to. I have no attitude problem, all I have is a will to succeed and the confidence to pull through the toughest of matches and the hardest of times, just as I have proven again and again and again.

We cut to another clip, this time of Adam Thompson standing in a generic indie promotion ring, with a championship belt raised above the unconscious body of an absolute monster of a man, to illustrate Adam's previous point.

Adam: Now that I have finally arrived in Freedom Pro Wrestling, I'm looking to prove to the world that I mean what I say, every single word of it. First show, all eyes on me, because the Pendragon is here to stay.

[Deleted]

The camera turns to man with a scowl on his face, backstage sitting in a chair backwards.

Zeke: My name is Zeke. No. Just Zeke. I am 22 years. I've been in this industry for 7 years now. But. That's all you need to know. I'm not gonna talk about how I'm gonna be the biggest name here. I'm not gonna talk about how I can take every person on. I KNOW these things are true. But everyone says the same. So I'll just prove it. One punt at a time. One ZekeO (RKO renamed) at a time. You'll be seeing my name soon.

[Deleted]

Lights go off as Azazel's theme plays. He appears  on the ramp, amidst smoke, carrying a burning torch. He sets the torch on the side and sits cross-legged on the ramp itself. He stares at all the men in the ring intensely for a very long minute. He finally picks a mic.

Azazel: Words. Mere vibrations in the air. They're just like people. Everyone is, but a small speck, moving around in their own small spheres of life. But until those specks stand together, they mean nothing. YOU mean nothing.

You all come out here, read a script and go back, thinking your job is done. Thinking that the feeble reaction from these people that you get makes you meaningful. Do you feel important? Do you think you've touched lives, huh?

Your pretentious messages mean nothing. But I'll speak the truth. These people, everyone out there, I dont give a fuck about them. You people can kiss the babies, charm the ugly ladies and be their false idols. But I am not your hero. I'm the unknown. Azazel. And I'm here to begin my revolution.

I want your very best fighters each day, Jim. It's like the old stories. The day you stop feeding the lion....it devours you.

Azazel winks before blowing his torch, leaving the arena in total darkness. When the lights come on, he's gone.

[Deleted]

All of a sudden Azrael's theme song plays and we see him soaring in the sky and then he zip lines his way to the ring. He slowly descends next to Jim and the others in the ring. Flashing white light illuminates the arena and we see Azrael standing in his signature pose. He takes off his Angel Wings and looks dead-eyed right at Jim then smiles, and says

I am Azrael, the forgotten Angel who once he uses his Deathly Harp, is more sinister and deadly than ever...but here I am today, with no real wings, and no Deathly Harp...I was banished from The Horizon Above due to being too intertwined with the Human Civilization...but if I wasn't, then I wouldn't have seen the seemingly impossible dreams that the seemingly feeble humans could achieve. I have fallen in love with Humans, and now I regret killing millions of people with my deathly harp all those years ago...as I never had dreamed of being one.

Even though I am the immortal one, I am forgotten...but I promise you, after I make myself known in FPW, you will never forget the name of Azrael...Never, will you forget.

Azrael puts on his wings and his music starts again. He rises above the ring and stares at his seemingly future opponents, then seemingly flies back to the top of the stage. The lights come back on fully and he's on the stage, standing while doing his majestic pose.

[Deleted]

Fade in.

INT. GYM.

Everywhere is black, save for a spotlight on Jeremiah Johnson: Topless, wearing black workout shorts and black shoes.

Johnson does push ups as his rough, grizzled voice is heard.

"There comes a time. When what you've been doing all your life isn't enough."

Johnson turns his push ups into single-handed switch push ups.

"So you tell yourself, 'I'm going to change.' And a lot of people try."

EXT. PARK. DAY.

Johnson runs agility drills through orange cones placed on the ground.

"A lot of people fail when they try. They give up when things get too tough or when they feel tired."

INT. GYM. SPOTLIGHT

Johnson has his fists taped; he punches a heavy bag with incredible accuracy and speed normally reserved for boxers.

"That's the difference between me and everyone else..."

Montage of Johnson putting up weights and screaming: Farmer's Walk, Bench Press, Squats, Weighted Hanging Dips.

"...when things get tough. I get tougher. When I'm tired, I force myself to get back up."

Montage of Johnson flipping tractor tires; pushing a weighted sled; being held in a submission and getting free.

"The difference is I don't quit. I never knew how. Knock me down, I get up; trip me, I get up; tell me I can't do something, I prove you wrong."

Johnson stands in the spotlight, his arms are folded, he stares at the camera.

"I'm Jeremiah Johnson. Come get me."

[Deleted]

The tron shows Freja shadow-boxing in a dark room. She completes her training routine by kicking punching a hole in the punching bag, with its filling pouring down onto the flour. She turns towards the camera.

Freja: They said "Cage Warriors isn't for girls." An year later, I had the highest win streak in Cage Warrior history. They said "you won't make it to the top." Barely a month later, I was signed to the UFC. They said "I wasn't ready." Three fights later, I had beaten all that they put on my plate.

Long story short, I fight to win. I fight to hurt and I fight to lead. I'm here for the fans and I'm here to inspire not just little girls but little boys who think they can't live their dreams.

As for my opponents, they didn't call me the Ice Queen on the indie scene for nothing. These fists and these knees sting. Like glacier does.

Freja bends down and picks up the filling of the bag.

Freja: Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. That's the last thing you'll be saying when I'm done with everyone in the ring because in the end, just like this dust, you'll end up on the ground.

[kingclutch]

A Facebook live video begins. Clutch is sighing as he tries to compose himself.

CM: "I know that there has been a lot of speculation about me: who I am and what it is that I'm doing. I know that I've made my mistakes my burned some bridges. And I know that I will likely never repair those. Many of you know why I left 'the E'...while it might not have been the best of circumstances, I have tried to make the best of it. In Global Force, Ring of Honor, New Japan, I haven't quite been able to find my stride and find a place that is just the right fit for me. And I hope this is what FPW will be. For awhile, I've needed a fresh start and I know I haven't been the wrestler or the man that I can be. The fans who have stuck by me through thick and thin..you deserve better. I can be better....I WILL be better."

*video ends*

[Deleted]

Paul "the Mauler" Meyers and "Mangler" Mark Anderson - the Hardcases - stand before a greenscreen projection of the Freedom Wrestling logo.

Paul: You wanna go first?

Mark: Why should I go first?

Paul: You like the warm up guy, and I'm like the payoff.

Mark: That makes no sense.

They both just stand there a moment.

Mark: This is why we should have a manager.

Paul: Nobody has managers anymore, Mark. It's like, passe.

Mark: People could say that about us.

Again. Awkward silence.

Mark: Well then we should just skip the BS and just go beat up people. Y'know, like make a name for ourselves.

Paul: See, that I can do. Random acts of violence, general mayhem. Why do we even need to do these things?

Mark: It's called "branding" or something. We get the crowd all excited to come see us, and then they pay to see us.

Paul: Well yeah, I get that. I know how the wrestling business works, jackass. I meant more of a "we're too cool to do this, doing promos is for old school losers" kind of way.

Mark: Oh. I wish we had a manager.

Paul: Shut up.

Fade

[Deleted]

A pastoral field stretches out behind a palatial manor house. Panning out, we have a view of a man with a rugged but expensive tweed hunting jacket, an antique fowling piece under his arm, and a silver-and-black mask on his face. Behind this man, (the man being Sabre, it should be noted), is an ancient manservant carrying two more guns for his master. Sabre sights a target offscreen, and lets fire.

Manservant: An excellent shot, sir.

Sabre smiles, handing the spent gun to the man, taking a fresh firearm in its place.

Sabre: Yes, of course it was. Do not fawn.

Sabre raises his piece, but then finally notices the camera.

Sabre: Oh, yes. I was told you were to come today.

Sabre uncocks the fowling piece and rests the gun under his arm.

Sabre: Allow me to introduce myself. I am, as they say, a man of wealth and taste. I I've been around for a long, long year. Laid many an opponent to waste.

The manservant clears his throat, his cough sounding something like "copyright."

Sabre: Yes, yes. Do not patronize me. Anyway, I am Sabre. Pleased to meet you.

Manservant: Ah-hem.

Sabre: I heard you the first time! Freedom Pro Wrestling, it is indeed a great pleasure to make you acquaintance. I have decided that you shall be the target of my aggression. The recipient of my wrath. The meat for my blade, as it were.

Sabre fires his gun, and a moment later a yelp of pain is heard.

Sabre: Now pardon me, We will meet again soon. My leisure time is all too brief, and I will not squander it, trying to "dumb it down" enough to be understood by you. Good day.

As we fade, Sabre pulls out a duck call and begins to blow in it.

[Deleted]

The scene opens on a small gym. Two men clad in capes and masks are exercising. One of the masked men, SOUND notices the camera is rolling, and drops down from the bar he was holding onto with a whistle. "Fury old chap! Camera's rolling!" In response he looks at Sound inquisitively before realizing what he said, dropping his own exercise bar and looking at the camera. "Right oh then! This is the Sound and..." Sound pauses and motions for his tag team partner to finish for him. "Fury." He simply says, looking back at Sound, before looking at the Camera once again. "Right-O old friend! Now, most of you back home probably don't have a bloody clue who we are, do you? We're all friends here mate! No need to lie chaps! Those that do know us are probably asking us, 'What in bloody hell? Sound and Fury? On an American network?' Well, I've got an admission old chaps." He exchanges a wordless look with Fury. "Sorry, I should probably start at the beginning! More accurately, the start of our jolly old dream. In Britain ole chaps and Portugal of course. We don't have the wrestling scene like you in the land of the Free do, it's down a downright stinkin' scene. But me and me ole mate, we grew up watching wrestling on the telly. Bloody great wrestling!" Sound pauses for the cheers of an imaginary crowd. Before continuing. "Well, back in the land of Queen and Country, well. The Sound and Fury would be a gymnast, and a karate teacher right now!" He takes a look towards Fury, who nods for him to continue. "So, mates. You know our story, It's a bloody good one if I say so myself!" Sound laughs to himself, before continuing. "For all that America's given us chaps, a chance to fulfill our bleeding DREAMS! And well, mates. That's why we're about to give something back! We're going to Freedom Pro Wrestling! And we're going to bleedin' clean up it's roster! We won't fail the American dream mates! We'll keep fighting and fighting until we stop the people plaguing you! We won't bleeding stop until we've beaten every last bastard who wants to hurt you or your families!" Both wrestler's look at the camera and cheer in unison. "Because we're the Sound and the Fury!"

[Deleted]

The camera fades in on the backstage area of FPW, where El Timído stands, nervously scratching his head. "Oh, right now? Oh, ok. Well, uh, hello there FPW fans!" Timído tries to smile, but then winces and stops, embarassed. "I, well, I'm the newest guy on the roster, El Timído, and I hope to, uh, be entertaining and put on a good show. I'll give it my all, I guess. Hopefully I won't fail." El Timído then smiles at the camera again, before asking the cameraman "Is that it?" The camera man replies "You got a catchphrase or something?" "Oh, uh, I guess so? Keep calm, and stay timid!" El Timído gives a thumbs up, and the camera fades out.

[The_Aviator_GB]

Appearing as a 'coming soon' segment during the final PPV, a vignette plays, first starting with the sound of bullets clinking together before the sound intensifies and machine-gun fire echoes from the screen. Clips play as Bulls on Parade by Rage Against The Machine blares through the speakers, showing clips of 'The Aviator' Graham Baker from other promotions in a variety of situations. Most of the clips show finishers and signatures, reversals, high-flying offense, succesful submissions and one clip shows Graham catch a dazed and plant him with a Release Tiger Bomb-the Ground Zero-before falling on top of him to pin him. The clips fade out and show a pre-recorded segment with Graham against a plain wall, holding two titles over his arms and wearing a third around his waist.

Freedom Pro Wrestling, I am in you. The highest-flying, most-renowned London-born wrestling prodigy comes straight to you, next season. I've wowed fans across the world, won titles in various promotions...and now I come to do the same for you. The Aviator is here...and I promise a damn good flightshow to follow. Young Lions, watch out, as you've wrestled those with skill and talent...but you're going after the best now. Better bring your A-game, lest you end up grounded.

Graham cracks a toothy smile, and points his fingers like a gun at the screen, mouthing the word 'bang' as the screen fades out, and Graham's name and 'coming soon' are left for the fans to react to before the PPV commences onward...