Young Lions' Cup Promo Thread

[Jim Houston]

MDE stands in a ring with four young wrestlers. All four look a little reluctant.

MDE: You're here today to surprise me. You each come from MMA backgrounds and I'm reliably informed that your knowledge of submissions and holds is at least good. I want you bring things out that I won't have seen. Anyone who can keep a hold on for ten seconds gets a £200 bonus for each hold. Who's first?

The first wrestler steps forward and he and MDE lock up. MDE let's him get a grips of his wrist and he looks for a double wristlock. MDE immediately rotates to take control of his opponent's arm instead and locks in a double wristlock of his own.

MDE: Boring! Next.

The second wrestler steps up and goes for a double leg. MDE doesn't try to block it as the opponent lifts his legs, steps through and tries to turn MDE for a variation of a sharpshooter. MDE powers him off with his legs and springs to his feet.

MDE: I said something I haven't seen. Bonus is up to £300. Come on!

The third guy's steps up looking confident. MDE goes to lock up with him but he ducks underneath and grabs a waist lock. He lifts MDE, but MDE tucks his legs in and rolls through. The opponent rolls with him but catches his leg, forcing him down by the knee and locking in a knee bar, crossing MDE's right leg over his left and pulling his ankle in for an ankle lock at the same time. The other wrestlers begin a count, but, at the count of four, MDE manages to roll to his back, free his right leg and kick his way out. Again he springs up to his feet.

MDE: That's better. But it's still not good enough. I've been put in both holds before. Let's see something I've never experienced.

The final wrestler steps up. They lock up and he uses his foot to force MDE down to one knee. He hits a snap DDT to surprise MDE before grabbing an arm and locking in a Fujiwara arm bar. However, he pushes up onto his toes and reaches behind him, grabbing the other arm and pulling it back too. It ends up looking a little like the Simply Great Stretch. MDE, clearly flustered, scrambles for a few moments as the wrestlers' count reaches five. It continues as he propels himself forward to the ropes, just reaching them as the count hits nine. His opponent breaks the hold and MDE pulls himself up. This time, however, his opponent kicks his leg out from underneath him and locks in a cross armbreaker, similar to a bridging Emergency Landing. MDE rolls towards the pressure but his opponent uses the momentum to transition into a triangle arm bar. MDE stands and looks to power out, but his opponent has it in tight. The count reaches seven before MDE manages to break the grip of his opponent's legs. The wrestler tries to get up himself but MDE pulls him in and delivers a quick Triple Gutwrench, pinning him for a three count.

MDE stands and runs a hand through his hair.

"Baker... there's really nothing new in wrestling. There may be moves new to you, but I've been doing this a long time. I've either experienced or seen every single hold, every single move, every single strike. You may have taken me be surprise before, but you won't do it again. Whatever you bring out at Young Lions' Cup, I'll be ready for it. And the result will be just what happened then: you staring up at the lights and wondering why on Earth you gave me a chance to take the one thing you care most about."

MDE turns to the three wrestlers as the fourth pulls himself up.

"Who's next?"

[Jim Houston]

Jim Houston sits at his desk in his office, the Young Lions' Cup sitting just next to him.

"Hello and welcome to freedomprowrestling.com. My name is Jim Houston and I am the Freedom Pro Wrestling General Manager. I come to you today with a few announcements. First off all, Jace Mason will be defending his Freedom Championship seven days from today against Clutch McCloud. While both Clutch and Russ Bolt out themselves forward for the opportunity, I felt Clutch was more deserving at this stage. Jace Mason as the champion has the right to determine a stipulation for this match if he so desires. I'll leave him to do that when the time is right.

"Secondly, Henry Harrison has laid out an open challenge to the roster as he looks to kick start his time here in FPW. As we have a free slot at the Young Lions' Cup final show, I've decided that whoever answers this challenge will face Henry Harrison at that show.

"And finally, to the reason we are all here this month: The Young Lions' Cup. I've had several wrestlers declaring their interest both publically and privately over the past week and have narrowed the field down to eight. So here is the bracket:

RTYLC1: QF1: Zachary Bates v Marcus Allen Jones
RTYLC1: QF2: Henry Harrison v Berry Bishop
RTYLC2: QF3: Jerry Bishop v James Saturn
RTYLC2: QF4: Kris Knight v Elizabeth Karlson

YLC: SF1: Bates/Marcus v Harrison/Berry
YLC: SF2: Jerry/Saturn v Knight/Karlson

YLC: Final: Bates/Marcus/Harrison/Berry v Jerry/Saturn/Knight/Karlson

We have a good mix of established FPW wrestlers and up and comers in this field. To reiterate, the winner will receive an FPW Championship match against either Graham Baker or MDE at Resurrection, so the stakes certainly are high. Good luck to all entrants and I will be watching very closely to ensure... fair play... all the way through the tournament.

"Thank you for tuning in."

[noname1525]

Jace Mason was backstage, the Freedom championship slung over his shoulder. 

"It appears that I'm destined to meet Clutch McCloud at the first Road to Young Lion's Cup event. And while I'm sure everybody is wondering what stipulation I'm going to select for our match, I'm going to hold off on that for a moment, because there's a few things I want to say about this match."

"When I first arrived in FPW a little under a year ago, Clutch McCloud was unfortunately injured. It was about two months before I finally met the man. But during those two months, I heard a lot about him. And almost everyone I heard talking about him clearly had a great deal of respect for him. And so, being who I am, I looked him up, found some of his matches to watch. I discovered that the guy's amazingly talented, easily a main event player. And sure enough, when he made his return, he did so during the main event, cementing in my mind that he was one of the top guys on our roster. I put him on a list of the people I'd like to wrestle here in FPW,  the people I thought I could learn the most from to elevate my skills and my position on the card. So it came as a bit of a surprise to me that Clutch hadn't held a championship in FPW since his debut. And for a while, that was all I thought of him. I issued I series of open challenges while he competed in the Free-1. And then he got tangled into a feud with The Invaders, while I made my return to the big stage at the Dead Man's Chest show. And then he went after the tag team championships while I challenged for the then-Hardcore title."

"Now he's challenging me for my championship, and when I heard that he would be my opponent, I got excited. I was finally going to be able to have a match with him. But then I realized, this was a different match than the one I'd wanted when I started out in FPW, the balance had shifted. Through no fault of his own, Clutch has fallen down the card, while I've done nothing but rise since my return. Somehow, instead of me chasing his position on the card, he was chasing mine. That absolutely blew my mind; and I know it's not just because of all the time I've spent working on my skills. A large part of that is Jim Houston for all the chances he's given me, but even that's not all. Because Mr. Houston wouldn't have given me all those chances if it wasn't for each and every one of you. You've supported me on my journey to this championship, and I'm so grateful for that support. I'm just sorry it took me so long to articulate that thanks."

"Now, as for our match next week, I've had quite a few ideas. There are several match types I've watched over the years that I've never competed in. Some of them I don't want to compete in, but there are some that I'd love to experience. But with this being the first match since the rebranding of the Hardcore championship, I think I'm going to keep things simple, a classic, one-on-one singles match.I think that will be the best course of action for now."

[kingclutch]

* a live video begins*

Clutch: My career, like my life has had its ups and downs. I've lost matches, I've lost friends and relationships. You know after my issues with substance abuse, I thought Danica was out of my life for good. But she believed in me, saw the good even when I didn't see it in me. That's what this match with Jace Mason is really about: second chances. I have been king of the mountain before, I've won titles so I know how heavy your head must be Jace. Now you're right in that I have won a title in FPW. A lot of that is due to setbacks, many of which would have made it so easy to slip into my old vices. It would have been so damned easy to give up. When I got injured it was all I thought about some days. I would say to myself, "Self, maybe you should just quit. Maybe you don't have what it takes anymore."

*sighs* Now, I'm not sure where you stand on faith, but an angel came to me and gave me hope. She gave me a sign that I can take a negative and turn it into a positive. And whatever stipulation I walk into in our match, I will be ready for it. Despite your best efforts, you will fall. My goal is FPW gold and Jace Mason, you are my obstacle, my opponent, and I promise you two things: I will defeat you and I will turn you every damn way but loose.

*video ends*

[The_Aviator_GB]

Baker cracks his neck as he does a similar training seminar to MDE, looking at three trainers in the ring, all of MDE's size and stature. The shortest of the three has roughly seven inches on Baker, while the last is close to a foot taller than him. Baker invites one of them into the ring, and the two men immediately lock up, with Baker going for an early Emergency Landing. The man counters Baker's hold, and lifts him up for a powerbomb, but Baker manages to lock a standing triangle choke in on the man, causing him to drop to a knee. Baker transitions as he gets closer to the ground, locking in an improvised Hell's Gate on the man. After a few more moments, the man taps out, and Baker releases the hold before inviting another in.

This man, who could act as a body double for MDE if so desired, rushes Baker immediately and goes for a Boston Crab as he grounds him with a running shoulder block. Baker manages to take the man's legs out from beneath him, and goes for an Emergency Landing, pulling the man's arm in and grapevining his legs before the man can get away. While the man resists for a moment longer, Baker bridges the hold and he taps out, causing Baker to release the hold and invite the final man in.

When the final man enters the ring, Baker tangles with him and rolls him up, but the man immediately kicks free. He goes for a knee to Baker, but Baker takes advanatage, grabbing his knee in a rolling kneebar and applying immediate pressure. The man manages to ward Baker off, and goes to pick him up and powerbomb him again, but Baker reverses the powerbomb into a headscissors takedown before going for the Emergency Landing. This time, however, when the man goes to counter the Emergency Landing, Baker takes advantage and locks in a choke fully, causing the man to tap out mere moments later. He rolls out of the ring while Baker wipes himself down with a towel before looking to the camera.

"Moves are just moves, MDE, but you're not prepared for me either way. You've studied my arsenal in a very particular way, but you're not prepared for any sudden changes. You're not ready for the possibility of a shuffling game. This ring, MDE, when we get into it-it's all probability. Maybe i'll hit you with an Emergency Landing, or a diving clothesline, or maybe I'll do neither. Maybe I'll get you on the outside and use the barricades as a weapon. Maybe you'll keep me inside 'til you can lock a submission in that puts me away. 

You're confident, for good reason-but trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already. I've beaten you once, MDE-and if it bleeds, I can kill it again, and again, and again. You've got talent, this whole business is your life, this that and the other fucking thing, but I've still got more of a spark than you. I've still got more of a drive, the ability to keep going and going and going until I wear down and fucking die if I have to. You had your chance to beat me once in a match that favored you-and you didn't. Now, you'll try to beat me again, and I swear once again you'll fall short.

Train harder. Train faster. I'll be in top shape heading into that match, because this prize, the Freedom Pro World Heavyweight Title...it means the world to me, and no one, especially no washed up technician who's tried so desperately to scrape together a win like a plague rat scratching for food in a dead town will take it from me. You'd best be prepared to give everything you have, MDE, because if you don't...you'll embarrass yourself on the biggest stage of them all."

[Jim Houston]

The video begins with a close-up shot of MDE's face taking up the majority of the screen.

"There it is, Graham. There it is."

Another video cuts in.
 
"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

The video returns to the close-up shot.

"The Ace of Freedom Pro Wrestling, The FPW Champion, the great fan-favourite. And now you've finally told the truth."

The second video cuts in again.
 
"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

The close-up comes back.
 
"When you won the Free-1, I respected what you did. You went toe to toe with some of the best here and even those you didn't beat, you didn't let them beat you. You then beat Jerry Bishop, which isn't such a great feat but is still a feather in your cap. And then the big one. I've wrestled Marcus Allen Jones and, to be honest, I don't like to think about it. But I remember him as a good wrestler. Good. Not great. But you overcame him, overcame the odds and became the FPW Champion. You were the man who was going to restore glory and honour to that championship. And then..."

The cut happens again.

"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

MDE's face returns to the shot.

"I wouldn't have picked you... if I wasn't assured of this victory already. You see, I have two issues with that statement. Number one- if you hadn't picked me, I'd have challenged you anyway, and I think you know that. I hold two victories, both clean and one in your environment. Oh yeah, you mention that you beat me at my own game but you fail to mention, you neglect the fact, the I beat you at yours. So we're one for one there and I have a second win under my belt. So that gave me the right to put a challenge to you and even Houston would have had to accept it at some point. So you may say that you picked me, but really you just tried to get control of something that you knew was inevitable anyway. That's a politician's move, Graham. I thought you were better than that."

Again the switch.

"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

MDE returns to the camera.

"Now my second issue is a little more complex. What you said there reveals one of two things about you. Either you are a liar or you are... well... a different kind of liar. Let's break that down a little. You said you were assured of victory. I think you know that's not true. A man assured of victory wouldn't be training like you say you are. A man assured of victory, a man so utterly convinced that his opponent can't beat the bag of tricks that he's planning to pull out in their match, wouldn't need to push himself to the limit like you want people to think you're doing. So that suggests to me that you don't feel assured of victory and instead want to say it enough time to make everyone else believe it, myself included. But Graham, you know me better than anyone here. When you step into a ring with me, you might beat me, but nothing is assured.

"But secondly... and this is the most concerning of all... secondly, you might be lying to your precious fans. If you really do believe that victory is assured, that makes you a hypocrite. You chased Marcus Allen Jones for months, making accusations that he wasn't a proper champion, that he took the coward's way out, that he didn't defend the belt unless he had an advantage, blah, blah, blah. And yet here you are, saying that you wanted to face me because you felt victory was assured. And that implies you did the same with James Saturn. Therefore, you're not the champion you advertise yourself to be. You want to keep that title, just like I want to win it, but you're happy to keep it by beating people you don't think can topple you. What a shame."

The cut happens one more time.

"trust me, I wouldn't have picked you if I wasn't assured of this victory already."

 "So which is it? Are you lying about what you think of me or are you lying about who you truly are? Either way, you're not the man you say you are. No wonder James Saturn wanted to teach your smug, arrogant face a lesson. You don't own this company, you don't own me and you certainly don't own that belt. When I first accepted your offer of a match, I saw it as a challenge. I saw it as a way to measure myself and to prove myself all over again. But now... now I see it as a chance to expose you as the fraud that you so clearly are. You don't own that belt, Graham. And come March 10th, you won't need to worry about choosing an opponent who won't worry you. I will take that title. I will prove that I am, and always was, better than you, and I will prove that those words that came out of your mouth are totally and completely false."

[The_Aviator_GB]

Baker sits in front of a camera now, his title displayed on his left shoulder as he looks directly into it. He shrugs, rolling his shoulders before he begins speaking.

"Let's clear some things up.

First of all, MDE, you did beat me in my own environment, but let's not pretend that the win was 'noble' or 'justified'. Jim Houston stipulated that you had to display whatever weapons or tools you were bringing to the ring with you when you got to the ring. You, my friend, only beat me by the luck of your teeth when you removed a pair of handcuffs you'd so cleverly hidden and locked my hands in them. Even for deathmatches, streetfights, hardcore matches, whatever fucking have you, I don't necessarily count that as a clean win. I don't necessarily count it as noble, or secured, or anything. What I view it as was desperate, what I view it as was an action of terror. You may call it tactical brilliance, but I? I call it the act of a coward. You, the greatest technical wrestler in the world, a man with almost a foot of height and sixty-five pounds on me, had to resort to a pair of cheap handcuffs and a roll-up to beat a rookie technician who's honed his skills in fucking deathmatch wrestling of all things. 

You had to cheat to beat me, MDE. You had to cheat to fight your way out of my environment, while I dominated you in yours, no matter how you cut it. I out-manuevered you, hell, I out-wrestled you, even when you took away the outside of the ring, when you took away weapons, I was able to defeat you. I was able to lock in the Emergency Landing and destroy you. You talk about how men like Marcus Allen Jones, like Azazel, like anyone like them aren't great, just good, and yet, you weren't able to outlast them. You weren't able to beat Marcus, even with the fans behind you and all the energy in the world behind you, MDE, you failed. 

You failed to secure your shot at the belt, and you had to wait for me to give one to you. You failed to beat the fucking man here in FPW, hell, almost everyone did until I came along and put him down for good. As of this moment, I am the only man who Marcus Allen Jones has not been able to destroy. I am the only man here who was able to defeat Marcus and restore honor to this title, the only one able to put this company on his back and take it to the heights that it deserved to reach. I am the Ace of this company, and I'm not giving this belt up to anybody. 

You may think i've insulted you, that I've run over you and disappointed you and the fans by saying that I picked you because you were easy, but truly, MDE, I don't think that you'll be an easy opponent. When I said what I said, I meant it in a way that you won't be able to dethrone me because you don't have the fire in your eyes, or your heart. You have the ability, sure, and the strength and size and speed and submissions and any other shit you might want to pull out...but you don't have the drive. You don't have the fighting spirit to get knocked down and keep getting up. You don't have the will in your bones to keep on fighting when you have nothing left. 

MDE, you won't be an easy fight, and i'm sorry that you interpreted it as such. You'll just not be able to keep me down for the three-count lest you put a bullet in my head.

I've proven to these people what I am. What I need to be. Regardless of if I win or lose this match, the people here are still behind me. Regardless of what you say, what you try to paint me as...these people remember what you did to Berry Bishop. What you did to her brother. To them, you're a monster, the mythical dragon...and I'm the knight who's going to kill you.

I'll see you soon, MDE."

Baker makes his hand into a gun.

"Bang."

[The_Aviator_GB]

We enter on an empty shot of the mask workshop again, Karlson's Lion Mask hung up on the mannequin, but it's been altered to be smaller, more gilded, more noble.

Kris Knight. A newcomer to FPW, someone who hasn't done anything of note here...but has elsewhere.

The mask shifts, seeming to fall apart and away as parts of it are removed and reconstructed into a new, more horrifying mask that appears to be made from the multiple faces of children's dolls melded together. Eight eyes stare back like a sort of mangled spider. 

You and I dance in the opening round of the Young Lions' Cup, and I will give you a truly welcome invitation to this promotion. I will show you the strength of the competition here, I will show you true pain...I will show you what it's like to compete for a company like this. 

The mask shifts once again, being fully finished as a spider-like visage made of the faces of old dolls.

See you soon, darling.

[Jim Houston]

Sato stands longside the Guardians of Strong Style, who hold both FPW and Zero-1 Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. The two men stand behind Sato, arms folded.

"Jack Sevren. Bobby O. Just days ago I first stood here and said your names. I tell you. Guardians of Strong Style take your Tag Team Championships. And Guardians of Strong Style take them. I tell you Guardians of Strong Style dominate FPW tag teams. And Guardians of Strong Style dominate them. Everything I say come true. And now Jack Sevren and Bobby O get second chance. Rematch. Guardians of Strong Style real tag team. Tested tag team. True tag team. You? Not true team. In single matches, you both beat Guardians of Strong Style. No question. But in tag team match? Never. At Young Lions Cup, Guardians of Strong Style win match, retain championships, prove strong style wins. Not in doubt. After? No team good enough. No team ready. We enter All Star Tag Team Classic. We prove dominance again. And again. And again. When team proves they can match Guardians, then we accept challenge. We back on March tenth. Jack Sevren? Bobby O? Final goodbye then."

[Jim Houston]

MDE stands, stalking his opponent. The fans in the small building boo as he grips his opponent around the waist, connecting with a gutbuster and making an immediate transition into the gutwrench suplex. He floats over, deadlifting his smaller opponent and connecting with the gutwrench powerbomb, completing the Triple Gutwrench. MDE makes a deep cover, hooking both legs as the official counts and the sound of his hand echoes around the building. The fans boo as the referee calls for the bell and MDE yanks the title belt away from him. He looks at it for a few moments and then demands a microphone, belt around his waist already.

"Tonight... I became UWA Champion. It was inevitable really. Once I got my chance, a chance I've deserved for seven months now, I was always going to take the title. And believe me, this is just the first. Tomorrow night, I go to Uttoxeter and I take the CWF Title. On Sunday, I debut in a title match in Coventry and become the BCC Champion. Next weekend I'll do the same in three new promotions. When I first began, I didn't care for titles, but now... I'm proving a point. I now talk directly to you, Graham Baker. You say that I don't have the spark? You say that I've lost my touch? Say whatever you like, but you'll be bringing one belt into our match at Young Lions Cup. I plan to bring six. Champion of six promotions, defeating six wrestlers all of whom are a similar build, wrestle a similar style and have similar heart to you. One by one, I take them down, starting with Sid Fincher here, and I demonstrate through my actions just how much spark I've got. Graham, the two of us have been on a collision course for a long time but it's not going to be me who moves aside for the irresistible Graham Baker train. I plan to grid you to a halt and leave you without your life blood. You want a bullet to the brain to put you down, but I think it'll take less than that. I will take that title and I will put you in your place. UWA Champion signing off."

[marileeg17]

Bobby is seen in the locker room with Dasha and Ted Crewmember as Ted is adjusting the camera. Bobby looks nervous, wringing his hands together.

TC: Good to go live whenever you are Dasha.

Dasha nods as she looks at Bobby.

DB: Ready?

Bobby takes a deep breath and Dasha senses he might need a minute or two.

DB: You seem a little nervous. It's okay if you need some time. 

Bobby nods slightly before chuckling.

BO3: It's just an interview, you would think I'd be so used to these by now. But, it's been a while since I've done one and I just want to do it right. Plus, I guess I'm a little nervous about what you're gonna ask me about, ya know, getting back in the ring and everything. I mean, I wasn’t out for that long, only like 43 days, but who’s counting? Okay, I was, I was counting. But it’s like, I went through a period where I was out of wrestling for months, when I was really in a dark place. And now it’s just, every time I have to miss even one show, I don’t know, I guess it just takes me back there mentally and what not and it sucks not being able to do what I love. That probably sounds stupid.


Dasha smiles sympathetically.

DB: Not stupid at all. Bobby, if you don't want to do this, I'm sure Jim will understand.

BO3: Nah, it's good, I'm good. I'm excited to get back out there. Wrestling, it’s my life, it’s my everything and I worked damn hard to get here ya know? People act like I only got into the business because of my last name but no one even knew who I was. I hid my identity. I worked my ass off and yeah, maybe my dad opened the first door but everything I have, I’ve earned. And I can’t wait to be back in that ring and earn back those tag team titles.

With a blank look on her face, Dasha looked over at Ted who shook his head causing Dasha to sigh.

BO3: Something I said?

DB: Yeah, all of it and the fact that the camera wasn’t rolling (Dasha looks back at Ted, eyebrow raised). Anyway, let’s get this interview underway before you say something else amazing that I don’t want to miss.
Are we rolling Ted?

Ted gives the thumbs up as the red light on the camera begins to blink.

DB: I’m here with Bobby O who is just days away from making his return to the ring after a pretty serious concussion suffered at the hands of—

Dasha is interrupted as the door to the locker room swings open and Jack Sevren walks in looking frustrated.

Ted pulls his headset off and glares at Jack.

TC: Hey man, did you miss the sign on the door. We're recording in here.

JS: You're recording, as in you're live right now?

TC: Trying to be, so if you don't mind--

JS: Keep rolling.

Jack walks right up to the camera and grabs the mic from Dasha's hands.

JS: Greetings Freedom Fighters, Jack Sevren here and I've got a message for everyone's favorite VAJ, I mean MAJ. Listen up Marcus Allen Fuckface. That little stunt you pulled was the biggest mistake you could have ever made. You think it's funny, think it's a joke? You keep talking about how I wasn't worth your time. Well guess what bitch, you're not going to be able to get away from me now until you meet me in the ring like a damn man. So you've got one choice, come and find me or I sure as hell will come and find you!

Jack walks away and begins loudly throwing his bags in one of the lockers in the back.

Ted shakes his head.

TC: I can ask him to leave if he's going to be a distraction.

Bobby looks at Dasha and back at Jack, who's continuing to make loud noises such as slamming his locker door shut.

BO3: I'll talk to him.

Ted nods.

TC: And I'll delete that little outburst.

DB: Don't! I mean, it was pretty good. Jim might want to use that in the next show.

Bobby heads to the back, finding Jack sat on one of the benches, headphones in his ears. Bobby taps him on the shoulder and Jack looks up annoyed, pulling one bud from his ear.

BO3: Hey, can we talk?

JS: Don't you have an interview to do? Talk about how excited you are to be back in the ring in singles action. Ya know, I hope they were planning on asking you about our tag titles match given that's where your real focus should be, not on this tune-up or whatever that you've been talking about all week. It's just a singles match, you've had tons of them, this won't be any different.

Bobby sighs as he can tell Jack is still angry about what happened at the last show.

BO3: Look man, I know you're pissed about what Marcus did, hell I am too. And right now, your mind is on that, I know it is. Mine is on my match with Jerry but it's also on what comes next. I know we're both there. But in order to get ready for Guardians of Strong Style, I've got to be at 110 percent. I need to get the rust off and need to do so against a top notch opponent like Jerry. But make no mistake Jack, getting our tag titles back is still the top priority even if you've been doubting that lately.

JS: Yeah, whatever. Shouldn't you be getting back to your interview?

BO3: I can reschedule. I've actually got a better idea, a way to cheer you up. Come with me. I was saving this surprise for a little later but now is as good a time as any.

Bobby makes his way back to the interview space with Jack reluctantly following behind.

BO3: Still okay if we reschedule this? Later this afternoon maybe?

Ted seems frustrated but Dasha nods.

DB: Absolutely. Come by Jim's office in say, an hour, and we'll take things from there?

BO3: Sounds good. Thanks again for this.

Bobby shakes both Ted and Dasha's hand on his way out.

JS: This better be worth it.

BO3: Oh, I promise you'll love it.

[marileeg17]

Jack and Bobby arrive outside the Friendmigo lair with Jack still frustrated and now puzzled as to why they are there.

JS: The Friendmigos? Look I know Jerry's a clown and all but I fail to see how this is your grand idea to "cheer me up."

Bobby smiles before chuckling slightly.

BO3: Remember a few months ago when I told you Jerry had somehow managed to legally adopt a bear cub?

Jack perks up slightly, one eyebrow raised.

JS: I'm listening.

BO3: Well, remember how the last time I took you to meet Fozzie he was away on vacation visiting his family at the Bearsey Shore?

JS: Go on...

BO3: Well it just so happens Fozzie is back and he's right in there waiting to meet his Uncle Jack.

Jack looks dumbfounded before a huge smile crosses his face. Without saying another word to Bobby, he bursts in the door.

Jerry Bishop: Oh, hi Ja---

Before Jerry can get the rest of his greeting out, Jack walks past him, making a beeline for the bear who is with Super Che and Matt Dwyer. Initially, Fozzie growls a bit but he quickly warms to Jack, who seems to know exactly how to entertain the little cub.

Bobby laughs as he looks at Jerry.

BO3: From the second I told him you had a pet bear he's been telling me nonstop how good he is with bears and how much he loves them. How one gets to be that good with a bear is beyond me but those two look like fast friends. I honestly think you just made his week.

Jerry smiles back before he and Bobby enjoy a quick hug.

JB: So what brings you in, Bobby-boy? It’s been a little while, hasn’t it?...Apart from visiting Fozzie, obviously.

BO3: It's been too long honestly. And I promise this wasn't just about Jack getting some quality Fozzie time, which thanks again, so much for making that happen. He's been, well, let's just say things have been off since we lost the titles and it got even worse when Marcus no-showed their match. Jack totally felt disrespected and he's just been, yeah, well, that's not important. As much as I'm focused on getting those belts back, I'm just as focused on our match. Talk about it being a while, I don't think we've shared a ring since the old days.

JB: Yeah, I can’t remember the last time we squared up. Back then we were really different people, weren’t we? The Friendmigos were just finding our roots, and you were going around kneecapping people with a lead pipe.

JB: Heck, even Jack was a bit on the unhinged side.

JS: JERRY!

JB: Yeah?

JS: HE CAN DANCE TOO?!

JB: Oh sure! Put on some Santana, he can really groove!

Bobby chuckles a bit but it's clear the mention of his old ways still strikes a chord. He rubs his neck and bites his lip, briefly smiling as he watches Jack's excitement at playing with Fozzie.

BO3: Yeah, we, uh, we've all come a long way. And I know I've said this before but it bears,

Bobby pauses and chuckles again.

BO3: It's worth repeating, I'm really sorry for what I did back then. I was in a really bad place with everything and I just went off the rails and well, there's a lot I regret but chief among my actions, one of the things I regret the most was how I treated you. You and I had been good friends, I mean the 'Migos stood by me when not a lot of other guys on the roster did. That elimination style tag, if I recall you and I were the ones left standing in the end. And now, I mean look at you. I always saw more than just the clown but I think even I underestimated just how good you've gotten in the ring. Makes me really excited we've got this match coming up.

Bobby hesitates before continuing.

BO3: I should tell you, Houston didn't exactly make this match on his own. As soon as I got cleared he talked to me about a tune-up and I said I wanted to face you. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that as an insult. Maybe tune-up isn't the right word. Anyway, what I mean is, I wanted to get back in the ring with someone I trusted, someone I knew who would throw the X up before I would because well, one thing that hasn't changed is I'm still pretty stubborn. I wanted somebody who would have my back but I also wanted a challenge. And I couldn't think of anyone on the roster who would give me a better challenge than you.

JB: I getcha, buddy. I even kinda take that as a compliment. I’ve always prided myself on being a safe pair of hands. You’ve been in a bit of a rough spot recently and you wanna get your feet back under you. With someone you know you can go the distance with. Given our history, I understand why you’d want to go with someone you know to get your groove back. But you’re a good guy, Bobby. You’ll bounce back. And between the two of us I know we can put on a great match. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Remember that time you helped Super Che out with Missy?

BO3: I remember not getting a mask afterwards.

Bobby laughs.

BO3: I kid, I kid. But seriously, I think there was a time when I would have made a pretty good Friendmigo. I'll settle for just being Friendmigo adjacent now though.

JB: Yeah, you were certainly in contention, I’ll give you that.

JS: HE PLAYS CHESS?!

JB: Of course! He said the usual circus act stuff was too overdone and he wanted to stand out.

JS: THAT’S SO COOL!

JB: Now Bobby, I’m gonna level with you myself if I may. I understand you want to get your feet back under you. But right now I’m kind of looking to do that myself too. Losing the Free-1 to Graham, that was fine. Kid’s got heart and really earned that one and is a deserving champion. Losing to the British bastard, though, that was a harder pill to swallow. Losing to Zachary Bates, that one was okay, I wasn’t entirely on my A-game but he’s got potential. So as happy as I am to step in the ring with you, that doesn’t mean I’m just gonna lie down and let you take the win, buddy.

Bobby laughs as he puts his hand on Jerry's shoulder.

BO3: I wouldn't want you to. In fact, I'd be offended if you gave me anything less than your best. And your best is damn good, which is why if I'm going to be ready for the Guardians of Strong Style and this tag title match, I'm gonna need to get back in the ring with someone just as talented and just as formidable. I respect the hell outta you man and it will be my honor to share the ring with you.

Bobby extends his hand and Jerry happily shakes it.

JB: Let’s go steal us a show.

The two share a smile.

JB: Hey, um, maybe now might be the best time for this, but I was wondering if you could maybe help me out with something I’m dealing with on my end?

BO3: Oh?

JB: Kinda like how you helped Che back in the day...

BO3: Oh boy! Jester’s got his eye on a little harlequin, huh?

JB: Shut up.

BO3: Given how my love life is these days, I'm probably not the best person to ask for advice. Back then, I thought I had it all figured out, but I was, well, let's not go into that. I think the best advice I could give you is just be yourself. No need for grand gestures or grand jesters if you know what I mean. You're a catch man, any girl would be lucky to have you. And if these things work out, maybe I'll earn my mask yet.

Bobby winks as Jerry smiles.

Jack returns shaking his head.

JS: That bear, man...

JB: He beat you, didn’t he?

JS: Worse, I put money on it.

JB: I’ll talk to him, he’ll probably give it back if he gets that nice sushi from Panda House. Speaking of, anyone else hungry?

BO3: I'd love to but I told Dasha and Ted I'd be back for an interview. They want to talk about my return to the ring and our big match. Maybe you can stop by, share some thoughts. I'm sure Dasha would like to see you. She's always raving about how much of a character you are.

Bobby winks again as Jerry blushes slightly. Meanwhile, Jack just rolls his eyes.

JS: I should get going too. I left my phone in the locker room. But you guys enjoy, don't let Fozzie treat with my money. I very much plan to win it back, isn't that right Foz?

Fozzie shrugs as he trots behind Jerry, Matt and Che who wave goodbye on their way out. Fozzie takes a moment to turn around and taunt Jack, a wad of the man's money in his mouth.

Jack flashes his signature grin as the Friengmigos leave.

JS: I think I'm love.

BO3: With the bear? The bear who just swindled you out of a not-insignificant amount of money it looks like?

Jack smiles.

JS: Love is love Bobby. Oh, and by the way, thanks for this. I know I've been, well, kind of a jackass lately and I'm sorry. Marcus has just gotten under my skin and I don't think I'm gonna be able to shake this until I beat his ass in the ring.

BO3: You'll get that chance. He can't run from you forever.

Jack nods.

JS: I'll catch up with you later. Do me a favor and apologize to Ted and Dasha for my behavior earlier.

BO3: Will do man.

[marileeg17]

Jack arrives back at the locker room, whistling and happy as he grabs his bag. He pulls out his phone, making sure it was there, and then slings the bag over his shoulder prepared to leave. But before he can, he hears the locker room door close and soon finds himself staring down Dario and Haych.

JS: Make yourselves useful and tell your boss I'm coming for him and won't rest until he faces me in the ring.

Jack goes to push through the two but Haych doesn't budge and even pushes Jack back a bit. As he does, Marcus steps from behind the Invaders and just smirks as Dario holds a now charging Jack back.

JS: I'm gonna destroy you, you son of a bitch!

Marcus smiles.

MAJ: Jacky boy, if you destroy me, how will you get your match? I mean, you still want that, right? You vs me in the ring? Because I came looking for you to tell you that I accept your challenge.

Jack smirks a bit but Marcus just starts to laugh.

MAJ: Oh who am I kidding? If we had a match, I just wouldn't show up.

Jack seethes as he tries to free himself from Haych's grip but to no avail.

MAJ: Jack, the simple truth is, you're just not worth my time. I mean, look at you, look at what you've become. You're a former NXT superstar, a PWG champion, a guy who very likely would have won BOLA if not for Bobby, who you chose to align with, because what, because you both don't like me? Little old me is responsible for taking two former Grade-A singles wrestlers and turning them into...this. A failed tag team who without your belts, what's really keeping you two together? Still me? Still the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Or is the truth that you've gone soft and you two are actually friends? Oh, that's it, isn't? Jacky and Bobby, you two really are Camelot come to life. Anyway, I'm here because I wanted to say, you're not a hopeless case. I admit I didn't take you seriously, figured you were just another washed up has-been WWE reject, but then I watched some matches and I was borderline impressed. There could be a spot in TakeOver for that Jack. I would give that Jack a match. So think long and hard about who you want to be. Do you want to be stuck in this go nowhere tag team with the real washed up wrestler, or do you want to go back to being the Jack Sevren who used to be the king of the indies? The choice is yours. And I'll be waiting to see what choice you make.

Marcus steps back by the door, creating enough distance between himself and Jack.

MAJ: Let him go Haych. He's not gonna attack. Not this Jack at least.

Haych puts Jack down but not before shoving him to the ground, giving Marcus and the Invaders a chance to make a clean exit. Jack gets up more pissed off than he had been at the beginning of the day. He walks to the locker room door and considers attacking Marcus from behind but is smart enough to realize his odds aren't great in a 3-on-1. Jack then has an introspective look on his face, showing that what Marcus said bothered him or affected him at least in a small way. Continuing to stare down the hallway, Jack waits until Marcus is out of sight before slamming the door shut, his face red with anger.

[Jim Houston]

MDE appears on a handheld camera in a ring with a few rows of people sat around the edge. They're booing him.

"Welcome to shitty little U.K. indie promotions FPW fans. This is BCC in Coventry, one of the most horrendous towns in this country. Look what I've got..."

MDE moves the camera down to show three belts on the canvas below him. It also catches a wrestler clutching their left arm being helped out of the ring by officials.

"I'm now the champion of three of these tiny little places over here. And it happened just like that. As you know, I'm a little indisposed at the moment so I won't be putting in an appearance at whatever the name of the excuse for making more money Houston is running this weekend. But in two weeks time, Graham baker has a match, which must mean it's a big time FPW event. I don't have a booking that weekend, so I think it might be high time for me to head to Chicago and pay our esteemed champion a visit. But don't worry Graham, I won't stop you from getting your hands on TakeOver. But in fact, do worry. Because I'll make sure you see just how much spark I really have that night. Enjoy your six-man tag match, Graham. It's the last time you'll be walking out of an FPW show with that precious title."

MDE then turns the camera down to the belts in the middle of the ring as he picks them up carelessly. He films himself leaving the ring, focussing on the belts as the drag along on the ground behind him.

[The_Aviator_GB]

Graham Baker appears on camera, slinging his title over his right shoulder and looking into the camera.

MDE, if your idea was to incense me by taking belts from every independent promotion up and down the UK, if your plan was to draw me out into an early fight, to make me so enraged at the concept that you could hold some belts and that mine was 'just a match away', it's not working. In fact, I remember you saying a couple months back that, to you, the FPW title was just a trinket, the FPW title wasn't anything you'd find value in.

Now, you're doubling down on that. While I recognize it's a strategy to get under my skin...I have to tell you, it's not going to work. If you want to entertain yourself through stealing as many belts as you want, however, I'll be glad to take them off your hands on March 10th. Put 'em all on the line...and i'll put you down and take them. Companies like those need all the spotlight they can get, and I'll be glad to showcase them on the world stage before handing those belts back, giving them the spotlight you've stolen from them for so long.

Unfortunately for you, MDE, I don't really have a ton of time to address the rest of your sayings and actions right now, so...we'll talk soon. For now, I've got to focus on more pressing matters. 

Baker looks over his shoulder.

Two weeks from yesterday, I will face TakeOver in a six man tag match. The question's been floated quite a few times-who will Graham Baker pick to back him up against the forces of MAJ and the Invaders? Who will Graham Baker side with now that the Renegades have split up, since Grimm's gone AWOL and Karlson's busy with the YLC? I don't want to involve anyone in this pointless shit who wasn't already interested in getting involved, and luckily for me...two persons have made their presence known.

Moments later, Sara Daniels and George Jackson appear behind Baker, their arms crossed. 

Marcus, Haych, Dario...you've got a hell of a receipt coming. Hunter-Killer ain't much fr talking, they're more for...punching, so i'll let them handle that side of things when we get there.

See you in two weeks.