FPW Dead Man's Chest Pre-Card Promos

[Jim Houston]

The following email has been sent by Jim Houston to every member of the FPW roster.

Dear all,

Thank you once again for yet another successful show. The Secret of the Ooze gave us some fantastic moments and, for me, a match that was quite possibly the match of the year in the main event. But now we look forward to FPW Dead Man's Chest. We already know that Clutch McCloud will challenge Marcus Allen Jones for the FPW Championship in a Free-1 rematch. I'd also like to make the following match. The Guardians of Strong Style, The Renegades and The Friendmigos all have issues with The Invaders, hence why they ran them out of the main event. Therefore, these four teams will face one another in an elimination tag match, with the winning team facing Bobby O and Jack Sevren as the undisputed number one contenders.

But I'm most excited about our main event. The main event will be FPW's first ever Dead Man's Chest match. In this match will be several deserving FPW roster members. Each man will be competing to climb a ladder and retrieve the Dead Man's Chest which will be suspended above the ring. Inside that chest will be... something that everyone on this roster will very much desire. But I'm going to leave it as a surprise for now. Right now I don't have anyone in that match, so I'd like to hear from you. Several of you have been very quiet recently, so convince me you deserve a spot.

That's three matches. As for the rest, I'll wait and see what jumps out to me. A Hardcore Title defense for our new champion would be nice. A briefcase defense for Graham Baker would be extremely interesting. How about some kind of match featuring the women from the end of the match won by James Saturn? Let's see what you all want, and I'll reveal the full card next week.

Many thanks,

Mr. Jim Houston

[Saturn]

James Saturn is standing backstage wearing his street clothes and celebrating with some other wrestlers after Secret of the Ooze as Dasha Banks approaches.

DB: Hey James, got time for a couple of questions?

JS: Sure. What do you got to ask me?

DB: Okay, first of all, you've had a very open problem with the Queendom for a while now, how do you feel having finally beat them?

JS: I feel awesome, the thing about Evans and her minions is that they can only do any real harm if they outnumber their opponent. Evans was only able to beat me the first time by a DQ win, but when I had other people helping me take the Queendom down and stopping Evans' goons before they could get in the ring and cheat for her there was nothing they could do.

DB: In the past you've expressed concerns that you've become a gatekeeper at FPW, have your concerns diminished at all after your win?

JS: Sort of. I do feel a bit better, but it was only one win. I feel like I still need to prove myself, I still need to become someone who wins consistently, other than getting a couple wins before losing momentum over and over again. So right now that's my main goal. Win as much as possible, I'm going to go harder in every match than I ever have before.

DB: Alright, and finally, what are your plans for the Dead Man's Chest show?

JS: That's a good question. While I would love to participate in the Dead Man's Chest ladder match and thinks it's an awesome opportunity to do... Something, I also feel like I have to fight Artemis Evans one more time, to prove that I can beat her in a clean fair fight, I don't know, maybe we could even fight for the right to get into the ladder match. But the most important thing is that I beat her, I have to, I need to prove to myself that I can.

James obliviously walks off before Dasha Banks can say anything else, she looks at the camera.

JS: See you at Dead Man's Chest, Evans!

[The_Aviator_GB]

There is an eerie silence that seems to fall over Graham Baker and Elizabeth Karlson as they record a joint promo. Karlson, out of her ring gear but still furious, and Baker, clearly bandaged but focused, both stare forward at the camera. John Grimm is absent, and one can only assume that the reason has something to do with his assault at the hands of The Queendom prior to the match at Secret of the Ooze. Baker is the first to speak, planting his Free-1 briefcase on the ground.

So, that's that, then. The hardcore title reign of Graham Baker comes to an end with a bang and a dominant display by Tommy Storm. Congratulations, Tommy-you're a fierce bastard and you fought well. Gave me a few drops on the ol' back, but nothing a bit of rest can't fix. Made me reconsider the whole 'Ground Zero' thing, too, but we'll see. While I might be pleased with the result and finding someone who can best me and truly become the 'future of hardcore' in FPW, this does leave me...at a bit of an odds and ends. 

You see, now I have no match at Dead Man's Chest, and Jim Houston has offered me the chance to defend my briefcase, my Free-1 title shot, against any and all comers at Dead Man's Chest. I've browsed the selection of opponents, but...I seem to have found a slight issue. You see, no one beat me in the Free-1 tournament, a feat which i'm not entirely surprised by anymore. The men in the A-Block who had proven themselves have either gained title matches, or lost them, outside of Jerry Bishop, who I conquered myself in one of the most brutal matches of my career.

And as for the B-Block, the only two men I drew with...most recently lost to Marcus Allen Jones in their title shots. Azazel, even, without interference and with the odds in his favor. I find myself...at an impasse, and as such, I'm going to do the following to find my challenger for Dead Man's Chest. The rules are simple: The match will be contested under no disqualification, no countout rules, so as to ensure a clean finish. My challenger...will have to declare themselves, as this is an open challenge for the Free-1 briefcase and subsequent championship match at the End of the Year show. I will not take just any challenger, however-you'd best have a damn good claim to this throne, and you'd best be ready to back it up.

And also...I'm not entirely concerned with limiting this to a one-on-one match, either. I want the best and fiercest competitors.

So come on, Freedom Pro. Show me what you've got, and give it your last shot...before I take Jones' championship off his broken, beaten down corpse.

I'll be waiting.

As Baker concludes his speech, Karlson looks up toward the camera, a fury in her eyes.

As you may have all noticed, there is an absence among us, as John Grimm has been injured at the hands of The Queendom. As such, I am announcing that The Renegades will not be entering the number-one contenders match for the Tag Team Championships, as I will not go forward in a match like that without my tag team partner. I will, however, be seeking to enter the Dead Man's Chest match, as I have both a propensity for ladder matches...and high intensity action.

What also matters to me right now is handling The Queendom, and I will start by addressing Artemis Evans. Evans, you are...lucky that you were separated from me during the end of our match at Secret Of The Ooze. I had no desire in my mind but to tear you limb from limb and pound your bones into dust with every bit of force that I could. I wish I could've choked the life out of you myself and watched you struggle for air in the center of that ring, but Saturn had to get the win on your teammates and i'll...accept that for now. 

Know this. No matter what the outcome is of the Dead Man's Chest match, or any match between now and the End of the Year, I want you at Freedom Pro Wrestling's end of the year show. One on one, but don't think you can pull any sneaky shit on me because i'll have my own backup just in case yours decides to arrive. I want you with no stipulations attached, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

I want you. Steel cage. No way in, or out. Tools of torture and destruction. 

I want you in a Death House.

And I want my desire heard.

Karlson and Grimm watch the camera feed flicker, and then fade out entirely. 

[Deleted]

Azazel is dead.

You did this.

No one is safe. No one will survive.

[noname1525]

The camera comes on to reveal Artemis Evans backstage. In a subtle mind game, the location is recognizable as where the Queendom ambushed Elizabeth Karlson, as if to remind her what they're capable of.

"It seems that overnight, I've become one of the most popular wrestlers in Freedom Pro. Everyone wants a piece of the Glory Huntress. Including two people who have gone out of their way to get my attention.

First, we have James Saturn. James, you want a second round, and I'm willing to oblige. And conveniently, Thea and Myra are challenging for a title somewhere else, so it will be exactly what you want. You and me, one one one. And you know what? I'm glad it is. That way you'll have no excuses when I beat you again. Because make no mistake, I will.

And once I beat little James Saturn, I'll be be able to move on to the other person who wants a match with me. Elizabeth Karlson. It seems that you took our assault on you a little more personally than I was expecting. Or maybe it wasn't our attack on you, maybe it was that we took out your boyfriend. What was his name again? Jason Green? That would fit, he didn't have enough experience to know when he was messing with his superiors, otherwise he'd never have stuck his nose where it didn't belong. And now you want a match too, and not just any match, you want a match where your 'edgy' persona can thrive. As well as give you an advantage over someone like me, who needs no weapons or gimmicks to get the job done. But I've got an open schedule at the end of the year, so I might as well accept your challenge, if only so I can enjoy the look on your face when I defeat you in your element."

So there we go. Houston, they want me, and I'm graciously accepting their challenges. All that's left is for you to make it official.

[noname1525]

*Backstage at an episode of Sixty minutes of freedom*

Dasha Banks: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my geust, Jace Mason!"

Jace walks onscreen and waves at the camera.

Dasha: "Jace, you requested this interview here tonight, what is it that you want to say to everybody?"

Jace: "It's no secret that I've willingly stepped away from the spotlight in the last couple months. After losing my first two matches, I decided that I need to focus more on improving my abilities in the ring. And I'll be honest, this quest for self-improvement has causes me to miss some of the many opportunities that Mr. Houston is kind enough to give the roster. I willingly sat out the free-1, I made no move to get a match on the card for the Secret of the Ooze, stuff like that. But now he's announced the Dead Man's Chest ladder match, and I've decided that I want to be a part of it. Ladder matches don't come around too often, and I think tat I could learn something from the experience.  I've missed too many opprotunites, it's time I cash in on one."

He started to walk off, then stopped and came back into frame.

Jace: "One more thing. Graham, I saw that you issued your own open challenge for that Free-1 briefcase. You answered my open challenge a while back, part of me wanted to return the favor. But the mystery of the Dead Man's chest is just too alluring for me. So with all due respect, thanks but no thanks." 

Jace walks off, and "Afterlife" can be heard playing from the arena speakers as he emerges to address the freedom fighters...

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up in the locker room on Jerry Bishop, Super Che Junior, and Matt Dwyer going over strategy for their upcoming elimination match against the Renegades, the Invaders, and the Guardians of Strong Style. While eating Panda House takeout. Jerry takes a swig of a milkshake and takes out a large clipboard from his pocket.*

JB: Okay, fellas, this one’s gonna be a doozy. We’re facing three other teams and we would have to outlast them all to get a shot at the FPW Tag Team Championships. Thoughts?

MD: *polishing off a brew and opening another* First off, we got those cu-

JB: This is a family show, Matthew.

MD: ...ntrymen, the Invaders. They’re big, they’re burly, and they’ve been a pain in my a-

JB: *ahem*

MD: ...cid reflux. They give me heartburn, they piss me off so much.

SCJ: That could also be the Kung Pao, primo.

JB: So what can we do to beat them?

SCJ: Somos más rápidos, we can outrun them and let them wear themselves thin before putting those putos down.

JB: I’ll just fine you for the swear jar, Che.

SCJ: Oye, Matt didn’t have to pay!

*Dwyer chuckles and sips his beer.*

JB: Okay. “Outrun the Invaders” *Jerry scrawls on his clipboard* Next there’s the Renegades. Assuming Grimm’ll be good to go by then, they’re street fighters. Karlson’s a real scrapper and Grimm’s like a more smiley version of the Thing.

MD: John Carpenter?

SCJ: Marvel.

*Matt nods.*

JB: How do we beat them?

MD: I got this one. They’re all brawl but no brain. We can improvise better than they can. If they wanna come at us with tables, ladders, and chairs-

JB: Oh my!

*Jerry accidentally knocks over Che’s soda. Fozzie the Bear wanders into the locker room with napkins in his mouth to clean up.*

SCJ: Gracias, osito.

*Fozzie growls happily and curls up at Jerry’s feet.*

MD: As I was saying, the Renegades can bring whatever they want to the fight. We’re faster on our feet, literally and... not-literally.

JB: “Be faster not-literally on our feet.” Got it. Which brings us to the Guardians of Strong Style. We haven’t faced these guys before. They are disciplined, and they are fierce.

SCJ: But they’re also honorable. Maybe we can use that to our advantage?

MD: Not likely, remember how appealing to TJ and the Hardcases worked out?

JB: Now hang on, maybe we won’t have to. We do what we do best. When it comes down to it, what do we do better than any other team in this company?

MD: Have excellent ring gear?

SCJ: And music?

JB: Besides the obvious, guys. We *survive*. It’s like that song from Rocky, “I Will Survive”, by the Tiger Eyes. When the chips are down, we always manage to pull off an incredible comeback, and the fans give us that last oomph to fight to the bitter end. Let the Guardians bash us around for a while, we can take it, right?

MD: Okay, this all sounds well and good, but winning this thing puts us next in line for the tag titles, right?

SCJ: Sí, against Bobby O and Jack S-

*The locker room door bursts open to show Jack Sevren.*

JS: I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THERE IS A BEAR ON THE PREMISES.

*to be continued*

[Deleted]

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“People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

[Jim Houston]

Sato stands with The Guardians of Strong Style looking intense behind him.

"At Dead Man's Chest, Takahara Hiro and Tchyukiro Masa will become number one contenders. The Guardians of Strong Style will be victorious over three teams. Elimination rules play to our advantage. The Invaders. They are dishonourable. We will overcome their challenge to prove our superiority. The Friendmigos. Unfocused. We will dominate them and force them to respect strong style. The Renegades. We look forward to facing them. They will be tough but we will be tougher. Then we move forward to face Tag Team Champions. Jack Sevren. Bobby O. They are strong team. They win many matches. They improve every time. They will be challenge for us but we will not give in. The Guardians of Strong Style will become champions. The Guardians of Strong Style will prove their might. The Guardians of Strong Style will show weakness where there is weakness and will overcome weakness with strength. All teams must be ready. My warriors will give toughest fight of their lives every match. Takahara Hiro and Tchuykiro Masa will prove superiority of strong style. Be ready."

[marileeg17]

FPW.com EXCLUSIVE

Following the main event, Dasha makes her way to Marcus' private locker room, which is guarded by Dario and Haych. Dasha looks at her cameraman who nods that he's got this one.

Cameraman: Hey guys. Champ in there?

Dario: Who the hell wants to know?

Cameraman: Whoa, cool off man. Dasha and I were sent here to do an interview with Marcus for the website.

Dario looks at Dasha and scoffs. Dario: Sent by who? By Houston? Yeah, that's gonna be a no.

Dasha: It will just take a minute Dario. Then, Marcus can get back to his celebration.

Dario confers with Haych and the two seem to consider it before turning back to Dasha and the cameraman, a stern look on their faces.

Dario: Yeah, that's gonna be a HELL no and you can send your boss back with a message from ours. Marcus isn't doing any interviews on Houston's bequest. You can tell him that if he wants to hear what Marcus has to say, he can tune in to Marcus' State of FPW Address next week just like everybody else. That's when the champ will be giving his post-match remarks and not a moment sooner.

Dasha: State of FPW Address?

Dario smiles. Dario: The champ has some thoughts on where this company is at and where it's going and he's planning to talk all about it. No spoilers, but Houston might want to watch this. Or else.

Dasha seems about to ask another question but Dario sticks his finger against her lips.

Dario: No more questions. Watch the State of FPW Address.

With that, Dario and Haych head behind the private locker room doors leaving Dasha and the cameraman somewhat confused but mostly worried.

Cameraman: State of FPW, huh...

Dasha sighs. Dasha: Jim is SO not going to like this.

To be continued...

[Pizza Ant]

"15 Minutes" by Shattered Skies hits and Jack Sevren enters the ring, holding one half of the FPW tag titles.

JS: Hi y'all.

The crowd erupts into cheers.

JS: When I left WWE, I could've gone anywhere. But I chose to stay exclusive to FPW, because when I debuted here at Shoot 2 Thrill, I fucking loved the energy you guys gave! And my worst enemy and my partner in crime, Bobby O, signed exclusively here. So why the fuck not?! Why would I not want to come to FPW?! 

Jack leans against the ropes as the crowd chants "FPW".

JS: And I got this sick tag title, and I love my tag team partner, don't get me wrong, but... I'm a former world champion. And I don't need Bobby's permission for what I'm about to do next. Y'know.. I think the world has forgotten that Jack Sevren is one of the best in the world.

Jack motions to the entrance screen, that shows the Dead Man's Chest logo.

JS: So fuck it, I'm calling you out, GRAHAM BAKER! I want to see how good you truly are! People say you're the heart and soul of FPW right now and I get it, you wrestled a big tournament. But I wasn't there. And I guarantee you, if I was, I'd be main eventing the finale right now. And guess what? When I'm done with you, I'm gonna kick that prick MAJ's ass. I'm the best in the fucking game, and it's time for Jack Sevren to be a world champion again!

[The_Aviator_GB]

[As soon as Sevren finishes speaking, ‘DNA’ by Kendrick Lamar immediately blares out of the speakers and Baker’s logo appears on the titantron. Graham Baker steps out on stage and lays his briefcase down on the ground. He plants a foot on top of it.]

“Jack Sevren, I have to say you’re...not the first person I expected to answer this challenge, but in a way i’m interested. Tag champ, former WWE competitor, talented performer across the world and back...you make me look like a nobody, and i’ve done a ton.

I mean...after all, I won the Free-1. I’ve beaten every other Hardcore champion, even if I fell short against Tommy Storm. I’m one of the best new competitors in FPW, and after the End of the Year show, i’ll be Freedom Pro’s World Heavyweight Champion.

That is, of course, if I make it through you. Jack, you’re old hat, you’re representative of the way things were...but me, i’m new age, new era, new breed. I’m a pure hybrid-i’ll put a man away with a chair shot as soon as i’d tap him out, or maybe I’ll finish it out somewhere in between. You...you’re good, you’re a legend, and hanging with you?

Well, that’d prove that i’m exactly as good as I say I am.

I accept your challenge, Sevren. Jim Houston, at Dead Man’s Chest, I will defend my Free-1 Briefcase against Jack Sevren!”