Dead Man's Chest Promo Thread

[Jim Houston]

Card for Road To Dead Man's Chest (Sunday September 22nd):

Match 1: The Baxter Brothers v Death Squad (Baker to Write)
Match 2: Dead Man's Chest Qualifier: Artemis Evans v Danica Jane (Houston to Write)
Jace Mason addresses winning the Free-1 (Mason to write)
Match 3: Available Slot- Not Reserved
Match 4: Dead Man's Chest Qualifier: Aaron Williams v Go Shihei (Houston to Write)

Card for Dead Man's Chest (Sunday October 6th):
Match 1: Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt v Jace Mason and Aaron Williams (Match Writer Needed)
Match 2: Jerry Bishop as Guest Referee: MDE v Bobby O (Houston to Write)
Match 3: Tag Team Championship Number One Contender Gauntlet: Hunter Killer v ?? (Houston to Write)
Match 4: Freedom Championship: Street Fight: Elizabeth Karlson v Vanessa Scott (Baker to Write)
Match 5: FPW Championship: Davey Jones v Botiatus (Match Writer Needed)
Match 6: Dead Man's Chest Ladder Match: Artemis Evans v Go Shihei v Berry Bishop v Jack Sevren v Marcus Allen Jones v Graham Baker (Houston to Write)

As always, please let me know if you can write a match. I'll send details of those matches one week before each show.

[Jim Houston]

Sato stands with Takahara and Tchyukiro forcing themselves to stand still behind him.

“Tonight, Guardians of Strong Style prove we are best team in FPW. We beat Death Squad. Death Squad not able to cheat. Death Squad not able to win. Now what next? What team in FPW deserve to face us? We go back to Japan. We return when a team deserve to face us.”

[The_Aviator_GB]

We enter on Graham Baker limping with his bag backstage, Kate Mustang accompanying him as both of his championships sit on his shoulder. He passes by a group of camera crewmen, looking toward the door. When one tries to stop him, Baker ignores them, until he opens the door to the outside and a group of cameras await him in what looks to be a press conference area. Baker grunts, and sits for a moment, placing his championships down on the table. He holds a bag of ice to his neck, and looks to Mustang, shaking his head. She grabs the microphone, and clears her throat.

"Graham Baker will make no comments tonight."

She puts the microphone down as the reporters shower the two with questions, but Baker shoulders his bag and leaves the room, walking off into the outside and leaving the reporters with their questions hanging in the air...

[Jim Houston]

Jerry Bishop walks down a street in street clothes, a bag slung over his shoulder. He stops at the door to a shabby-looking gym and sighs before pushing it open. He walks in, looks around and doesn’t see anyone. Instead he follows the dull sounds coming from a door propped open behind the ring. He puts his head round the door.

JB: I’ll be out in five minutes, I’ve just gotta get...

Jerry trails off as he sees MDE sat watching the Davey Jones v Jack Sevren v Bobby O match from the Free-1 final.

MDE: Don’t worry about getting changed. Come in; you might learn something.

Jerry walks through the door, sighing again, and drops his bag on the floor while pulling up a chair. MDE pauses the match with Bobby trying to lock in the O Snap on Davey.

MDE: What do you see?
JB: What?
MDE: Tell me what you see.
JB: Bobby’s going for the O Snap.
MDE: What else do you see?
JB: Ummm... I don’t know.
MDE: Then look.

Jerry leans in closer.

JB: Sevren is getting up.
MDE: Correct. Then why did Orton try to lock on a hold that he couldn’t keep on?
JB: I don’t know.
MDE: You do know.
JB: He wanted to weaken Davey’s arm?
MDE: Wrong. He didn’t look. Not once does he turn and check on Sevren. He got too carried away with the moment to think and to act properly. A lack of proper attention to detail causes things like this to happen.

MDE unpauses the match and we see Sevren kicking Bobby in the head. He then skips ahead to Bobby hitting a fireman’s carry stunner to Jack Sevren and then a curb stomp to Davey Jones, before attempting to pin Davey and then Sevren.

MDE: What do you see?
JB: Bobby trying to win.
MDE: And it was wrong because?
JB: Maybe he was a little desperate but-
MDE: Is a fireman’s carry stunner going to keep Sevren down for a three count ten seconds after the move is hit?
JB: Probably not.
MDE: What should he have done?
JB: I don’t know.
MDE: Yes you do. What should Orton have done?
JB: Hit another move?
MDE: Precisely. Take one of them out and beat the other as quickly as possible. An RKO might have given him the win there on either man. But again he didn’t think. No gameplan. No thought. No victory.

MDE skips forward again to Bobby leaving the ring to get a pipe after a two count on Sevren.

MDE: What do you see?
JB (with a tired tone): He went to get a weapon rather than focusing on Sevren like he should have.
MDE: And now should he have focussed on him?
JB: RKO?
MDE: Perhaps. I’d look for the O Snap there. Davey is out of the match for a while and Sevren is fairly defenceless. If the hold is as good as he says it is, he could get Sevren to tap. Why did he do it?
JB: Sevren has put him through hell. I get it.
MDE: Too much emotional investment. Too hot-headed. Too clouded. No strategic thinking. No self-control. Pathetic excuse for one of the biggest matches of his life.
JB: Come on-
MDE: Moving on.

MDE skips forward again to Davey growling at Sevren after lifting him out of the figure four. Bobby then dropkicks Davey into Sevren.

MDE: What do you-
JB (sighing): He dropkicked Davey into Sevren. He should have let them go at it for a bit and then picked off the winner. I get it. Bobby’s way is wrong. Your way is right. Can we-
MDE: If he leaves the ring Davey and Sevren almost certainly come to blows. Orton waits, one of them takes the other out. Orton pounces, steals a pin or beats the other guy and wins the match and the belt. Hot-headedness will never win out. The only way Orton wins that match is with a proper gameplan, which he’d have had had he not been messing up yours for the last month. Now what have you learnt?
JB: Gameplans are good. Self-control is good. Emotions are bad. Listen to you. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is strength. Big Brother loves you. Four legs good. Two legs bad.
MDE: Don’t get smart with me, boy. Do you want to be better or not?
JB: Yes.
MDE: Right then. What else have you learnt?
JB: Not to be smart.
MDE: And that Orton is a loser who has no place in what we’re trying to build. The sooner you learn that fact the better.
JB: I get it. Can we get to the ring?
MDE: Yes. Today we’re working on ignoring distractions. You’ll be working with me so you’ll need to be properly focussed. Ignoreeverything going on on the outside of the ring or I’ll eat you alive. Go get changed.

Jerry picks up his bag and slinks out of the door, pausing and sighing once again before heading towards the locker room.

[marileeg17]

Sept 1, 2019 19:06:47 GMT The_Aviator_GB said:

We enter on Graham Baker limping with his bag backstage, Kate Mustang accompanying him as both of his championships sit on his shoulder. He passes by a group of camera crewmen, looking toward the door. When one tries to stop him, Baker ignores them, until he opens the door to the outside and a group of cameras await him in what looks to be a press conference area. Baker grunts, and sits for a moment, placing his championships down on the table. He holds a bag of ice to his neck, and looks to Mustang, shaking his head. She grabs the microphone, and clears her throat.

"Graham Baker will make no comments tonight."

She puts the microphone down as the reporters shower the two with questions, but Baker shoulders his bag and leaves the room, walking off into the outside and leaving the reporters with their questions hanging in the air...

As Graham Baker and Kate Mustang continue walking, they turn a corner and instantly, Graham locks eyes with Marcus from a few feet away. Both men pause briefly but then, without saying a word, Graham keeps walking, pushing past Marcus as he does. It's not until Graham has his hand on the door that Marcus turns around and calls his name, approaching his old foe as he does so.

MAJ: Hell of a tournament you had. Shame it had to end that way though. Mason's a good kid. Maybe he had a point when he said...Nevermind, my point is, don't go down this road. A year ago, you offered me your hand in respect and I took it and it changed things. Jace was just trying to do the same.

The entire time Marcus is talking, Kate rubs Graham's shoulders gently as it's clear he could snap on Marcus at any moment.

GB: You finished with this sanctimonious bull crap? Because let me tell you something. I'm nothing like you. I'll never be anything like you. And look at you. Four fuckin points, two of which you didn't even earn. Meanwhile I'm out there busting my ass and being the best because I'm the ace here. Not Davey. Not you. Certainly not Jace Mason. Me. And I'll get back my title. But let me give you some advice. TakeOver turned its back on you. You and I, our story's done. But if you get in my way again, it won't be. And this time, you won't have your boys to stop me from doing whatever the hell I want.

Baker slams the door open as Kate follows closely behind. She turns to look at Marcus and chuckles.

KM: Welcome to the era of MY Graham Baker.

[noname1525]

Jace Mason posted the following to his twitter account, which was then retweeted by the official FPW twitter page. 

"Just wanted to tell everyone that I haven't forgotten about you. I'm just saving everything I have to say for the Dead Man's Chest event, when I'll have had some time to get my thoughts in order. See you there..."

[botiatus]

Bo is sitting in his hotel room, his face intently glued to the tv screen when there's a knock on his door

Bo- "It's open"

J walks in and starts to ask him a question but stops as he looks at the screen. The FPW Championship match from the opening night of the Free-1 plays and Bo watches intently as Baker gains momentum. J sits on the couch next to him and digs through his supply bag retrieving the scissors"

J- "Arm"

Bo sticks out his arm without ever turning his attention away from the match and J begins removing the bandage wrapping from it. They sit in silence as they each focus on what's in front of them but right as J finishes Bo exclaims
"Sweet Baby Jesus" and J turns to see Davey with a foot on the ropes before Bo turns the match off.

Bo begins to flex the arm and takes care to twist it in every imaginable way as he tests its durability

J- "So what do you think?"

Bo- "I think it's gonna take a hell of an effort to beat Davey. He kicked out of everything Baker threw at him and still had energy to spare"

J- "I meant the arm"

Bo seems to ignore the question

Bo- "I think it's time to make some changes J. The Free-1 really opened my eyes. I've gotten so used to forcing my will on my opponents and wrestling matches at my controlled pace. And it cost me because I ended up spending way too much time in the ring and allowing my body to get worn down. I rarely take chances in the ring anymore. That's not going to work against Davey"

J- "I get that but your arm..."

Bo cuts J off seeming to ignore his question again

Bo- "I need to roll the clock back. When we first met you took my game to the next level J. You had me pushing my strength and athleticism to the extreme. I was flying all around the ring and sometimes outside of it. I need to get some of that back. I need to be thinking high impact at all times. And I need to push the pace and not allow Davey a second to breath"

J- "Sounds great to me but YOUR ARM"

He punches the arm which seems to snap Bo out of his train of thought as Bo finally looks at him for the first time

Bo- "Sorry J, you know how I get when I'm studying film. The arm is good as new. You did a great job taking care of me as always"

J- "Good, sounds like you're ready to get back to work. I've got the gym set up already"

Bo chuckles

Bo- "You know me too well. You didn't even offer me the day off"

J- "Would it have made a fucking difference?"

Bo laughing even harder

"Touche"

They share a custom handshake before getting up to head to the gym

[ticktock]

Aaron Williams struts up a corridor, humming an upbeat tune. He stops as he sees Dasha Banks setting up with Ted Crewmember.

AW: Heeeeey! This is today? Is this today? Today, yeah?
DB: Yes, we’re booked for an interview today. Is that still ok?
AW: Ok? Ok? Dash it’s the best news I’ve had all week.
DB: Well someone seems upbeat today.
AW: Just a little! And why not? The sun is shining, the birds are singing... the bees are try- no, wait... that’s not one of mine. I’m good. Let’s stick with that. How are you Dash?
DB: Yeah... I’m ok. It’s good to see you. You always bring a smile.
AW: One does one’s best. And when one has had the news one received earlier today, one... nah, that’s stupid. I’ve had some good news so I’m spreading some love. I’ve got plenty to go round for you too, Teddy.
TC: I’m good.
AW: All for you then Dash!
DB: You want to tell us your good news?
AW: I wish I could... but... let’s just say there’s going to be some very good wrestling happening soon in Botiatus’ home state and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to get into that particular ring.
DB: Do you mean-
AW: We’re not going to say any more than that! So, you guys ready?
DB: Yeah. Here ok?
AW: Works for me.

The camera shows the interview being filmed, but isn’t the main camera for the interview.

DB: Aaron, thank you for giving up your time to talk to me. We haven’t heard from you for a while. How’s things?
AW: Dasha, things are as they always are. I’m busy wrestling all over the country and putting smiles on peoples faces, not least my own. So, all in all, life is good.
DB: The last t8me we saw you in FPW, you were teaming with Marcus Allen Jones against The Invaders...
AW: I know what you’re going to ask. I had no idea it was happening. By the time I got out of the trainer’s room, Marcus was coming in. If I’d have known, I’d have been out there.
DB: Do you want to pursue TakeOver further?
AW: If they want to pursue me, they know where I am. I’m sure our paths will cross one day and I’ll be sure to knock them right off theirs as I continue on mine. But right now, I’m focussed on the Dead Man’s Chest.
DB: Speaking of the DMC, you face Go Shihei for the chance to enter that match. What do you expect from that match?
AW: I expect a fucking sore body afterwards! These Japanese behemoths- good word, right- hit harder than most guys and he hits harder than most of them do. But Shihei isn’t just a hard-hitter. He has a clever, clever person behind him and I know he’ll be ready for me, but I’ll be ready for him too. I’ll be working hard on taking hits and on making sure my strikes are as hard as they possibly can be. But I know I can’t win just by hitting the guy. I’ll need to use all of my skill to get past him and make it into the match.
DB: I’m sure you’ve considered how you’d use the Chest...
AW: I’d use it to get an FPW Championship match on the biggest stage possible. Where and when, I don’t know yet, but when I know... I’ll let you in on it.
DB: Finally, what do you think of your former partner Jace Mason winning the Free-1?
AW: I’m delighted for Jace. He’s a great kid and, like I said, he’s the future of this business. I wish him every piece of luck in the world going forward.
DB: Any interest in challenging him for the shot at Judgement Day?
AW: Well I did beat him... if I get the chance, I’d love to face Jace again.
DB: Thank you, Aaron. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.

Ted cuts the camera and Dasha and Williams relax.

AW: All ok?
DB: It was great. Do you really think you’ll challenge Mason?
AW: Yeah, I’d love to. I’ve nothing but respect for the kid. But I want to do the best I can and winning the belt at Judgement Day II would be awesome. We’ll see what happens. If he wants to face me, I’ll accept the challenge, but I’ll get that DMC first.

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up on Bobby O and Jerry Bishop walking into Jilly’s Diner, the Bishop Siblings’ favorite haunt. Bobby rubs Jerry’s shoulders as they enter.*

BO: Come on, buddy, this’ll cheer you up.

*They approach the counter.*

Hostess: Hi, Jerry, haven’t seen you in a while!

JB: Yeah, it’s been a rough couple of weeks, Michelle.

Michelle: And who’s your friend?

BO: *slightly surprised* Um, I’m Bobby O? From FPW? Jerry and I go way back, you haven’t seen me up there during the events?

Michelle: Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you! I’m not used to seeing Jerry’s work friends when they’re wearing shirts.

BO: Well, maybe later on you could see-

JB: Alright, Bobby, cool your jets, you’re an Orton, not a Tribbiani.

BO: Easy, buddy, I’m just playing around. I’m sorry, miss.

Michelle: All good, guys. Your usual table, Jerry?

JB: Please. And don’t forget to study, school’s starting up soon and I don’t wanna hear about you slipping!

Michelle: *playfully swatting his arm as they sit* Oh, you worry too much, Jerry! I’ll give you a few minutes and Jilly will be out to take care of you!

JB: Thank you.

BO: Thanks.

*Michelle walks off, Bobby picks up the menu and starts to look it over.*

BO: Let’s see, I’m feeling like chicken tonight, you feeling chicken tonight?

JB: Are you serious?

BO: What?

JB: So we’re just not going to talk about it?

BO: Jeez, what is there left to talk about? You had that match won, Jerry, and then Baker slipped out. It happens. You guys burned the place down, just like you always do.

JB: And I lost. I went for the Last Laugh and I lost.

BO: And if you would’ve gone for it earlier like I suggested, you would’ve had him down for the count.

JB: I was doing what I thought was best.

BO: No, you were doing what he was telling you. You were ignoring your instincts and my advice. You came close, and you almost had it, Baker was just better this time. We move on, Jerry.

JB: So I didn’t win because I didn’t listen to you, and because I listened to him? Because he says I didn’t win because I didn’t listen to him and I listened to you. For God’s sake, Bobby, there’s only so much listening a man can do before he has to make his own decisions.

BO: And you can do that, if you just get rid of him. He’s holding you back, Jerry, he’s slowing you down. Now if you just follow my-

*A pair of female fans approaches the table*

Fan 1: Sorry, um, Mr. O, Jerry?

BO: Ah, yes, what can we do for you, ladies?

*Bobby gestures for Jerry to cheer up and talk to them. Jerry sighs, tosses his shoulders back, and somehow manages to do a perfect imitation of Adam West.*

JB: Yes, young Freedom Fighters, how may we be of assistance?

*Bobby gives Jerry a “what are you doing” expression. The ladies giggle and reach in their bags for autograph books.*

Fan 2: We were just wondering if we could get your autographs?

JB: *Shifting into Stan Lee* Of course, true believers, that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it, Bobby?

BO: Uh, yeah, that’s right. Happy to do it. Wanna get a picture too?

JB: *Jerry Lewis voice* Ahhhhh, that’s a swell idea, Bobbo, LET’S get A picture WITH these nice LAAAADIES!

*Bishop and Bobby pose with the fans and get a picture, sign their books, and say goodbye. Bobby turns to Jerry.*

BO: What the hell was that?

JB: *looking down at the menu* Whatever do you mean, Bobby, I’m just giving the people what they want. A show, isn’t that what they expect from me? Clowning around? Jokes? After all, that’s what you’ve been telling me to give them. So that’s what I did. Doesn’t matter what happens in the ring, they don’t care about that. Put on a happy face and be the plucky clown, right, Bobby?

*Bobby takes this in and starts to reply but is cut off by Jilly, who approaches from behind Jerry*

Jilly: Evening, boys, how’s my favorite clown doing?

*Jerry gives Bobby an expression Jilly doesn’t notice that says “See?” Bobby struggles for words as Jerry cuts in with a plastered on grin.*

JB: *Joey Tribbiani voice* I’m doing just fine, Jilly, how you doin’?

Jilly: I’m doin’ good, sweets, and tell that sister of yours she needs to come in more often.

JB: *salutes as Robin Williams* Yes ma’am, I shall inform her of her negligence and she will suffer the wrath of the Great Jillia Maxima of Roma-

BO: We’ll tell her, Jilly.

*Jerry turns around to Bobby, with a faint “I told you so” smile.*

BO: Right now, though, let’s just have some dinner and have a nice time, okay?

JB: I expect nothing less from Jilly, Bobby.

*Bobby looks at Jerry with a slight expression of “point taken” before they give their order as the camera fades out*

[marileeg17]

Cameras come up on Jack Sevren who is sitting at a table, the Invaders to his left and Hunter-Killer to his right.

JS: I would like to take this time, and your undivided attention, to provide something I know you've all been waiting for, a State of TakeOver address.

Let me take you back a few months to when I was one-half of the FPW tag team champions. Marcus, you came to me and suggested that there was a spot for me in TakeOver. All I had to do was drop Bobby and join your ranks. But see, I didn't want to join your ranks. I saw a different way and when I realized your running mates hadn't exactly been your biggest fans for some time, I knew what I wanted. It was right after Bobby won the DMC, that I made my decision. I was going to join TakeOver, but not your TakeOver. I was going to cost Bobby his chest and infiltrate this faction of yours. To say it all worked out perfectly would be an understatement.

It started with the Invaders. Admittedly, they were a bit hesitant about going under a new leader. They were ready to go back on their own. Until I revealed my pitch. Didn't take long for them to be on board after that. Next up, Hunter-Killer. Those two had been fired but that didn't mean anything to me. After all, I set everything in motion for Davey, I knew I could do it all again.

So there the five of us were, waiting for the perfect moment to strike to reveal the new TakeOver, one formed not in my image, not in any one individual's image. That was Marcus' problem. TakeOver has no leader now. Just five equals. Maybe even six if one FPW champion rethinks our offer. Because simply put, if you're not with us, you're against us and you really don't want to be against us. You all saw what happened to your favorite lead pipe wielding anti-hero. Which by the way Davey, you did have that part right. It wasn't you who attacked him, it was us. No. 1 on our hitlist. Marcus was No. 2. And there's more, but revealing them now would take all the fun out of it.

All you all need to know is that TakeOver is back and better than ever because we are a united unit of equals. That said, we do have some, I won't call them demands Jim, but let's say, requests that you would be wise to grant.

1. Within the next two big shows, Haych and Dario receive a tag title match. Something might happen to your tag champs if they don't...

2. Hunter-Killer recieve a reinstatement match. If they win, their contracts are reactivated. If they lose, they'll honor the non-compete and walk.

3. And finally, a little something for myself. I don't want a title match. I meant what I said to Davey about that being his belt. I want something else, something that doesn't feel like too much to ask. I want in on the Dead Man's Chest.

Jim, the new TakeOver doesn't operate in shadows or hypotheticals. I'm not here to waste my time on mind games. So let me level with you. No empty threats, no empty promises. You fail to grant even one of these requests, TakeOver will affect the Dead Man's Chest results. Simple as that.

[Jim Houston]

Jerry Bishop is in a ring with a trainee, who is clearly trying to resist having the Chelsea Smile locked in. Jerry fights through his defenses and locks in the hold, the trainee tapping straight away and Jerry breaking immediately.

MDE’s voice can be heard from outside the ring.

MDE: Next.

The next trainee climbs in and hits the ropes, Jerry dropping down and the trainee stepping over him. Jerry springs up and takes the trainee down with an arm drag before forcing him over and easily locking in the Chelsea Smile, which gets another instant tap out. MDE climbs into the ring as Jerry breaks the hold. He pulls the trainee up.

MDE: What the hell was that?
T: Sorry, I-
MDE: I’m paying you to challenge him. So do it. Go again.

Jerry looks apologetically at the youngster and calls him forward. They lock up and Jerry is able to take the arm straight away, locking the hold on in seconds. MDE pulls the guy up again.

MDE: Are you even trained?
T: Yeah, I-
MDE: Let me show you. You know the hold?
T: Yeah.
MDE: So try and lock it in on me.

The trainee holds back.

MDE: Come on. You’ll learn something. Try and lock me in that hold. If you can, I’ll triple what I’m paying you.

The trainee comes in and they lock up, MDE not trying to lock in a hold of his own. The trainee goes for the arm but MDE reverses the attempt into a headlock and takes him over. He tweaks the neck for a moment before releasing him and calling him forward again. MDE hits the ropes this time and the trainee looks for the arm drag, but MDE catches him into an arm bar and drives a knee into the back of his neck. The trainee taps immediately and MDE releases the hold, slapping the kid across the back of his head.

JB: Come on, that’s too much. He’s just a kid.
MDE: A kid I’m paying to help you get better. He’s useless.

MDE turns to the trainee who stands with his hands balled into fists.

MDE: Get out. You’re done with us.

The trainee stands his ground for a moment before opening his mouth.

MDE: Ask for your money or try anything physical and I’ll break your arm. You’re not worth the spare cents I keep in my pocket. Get out.

The trainee leaves and MDE turns back to Jerry.

JB: That was a bit harsh. He tried his best.
MDE: Tried his best? Have you been listening to Orton again?
JB: Um...
MDE: You’re not telling me you’ve seen him? Didn’t I tell you-
JB: Yeah, I’ve seen him. We’re friends... I think.
MDE: I thought I’d made it clear already. He’s not worth your time. He’s just going to drag you back down to where you were before. I won’t even ask if you want that because I know the answer.
JB: You’re helping me get better in the ring. You don’t control my social life. If I want to see a friend-
MDE: No. Orton isn’t a friend. Friends want the best for you. Friends want you to improve yourself. A friend wouldn’t be trying to take you back to being a bottom-feeding loser who can’t beat anybody on the roster. I don’t-
JB: You always said I was one of the best in this company, but now unless I listen to you I’m no better than some purple Barry Horowitz who can’t get the job done for anyone other than his opponents?
MDE: You are one of the best but you also couldn’t get the job done because of who you chose to be. I don’t care what you do when we’re not working unless it impacts what you do in the ring, like it did when one of the best became the Jerry Bishop who lost every match he was in for seven months. Meeting Orton will definitely impact what you do in the ring.
JB: So what? You’re banning me from seeing my friend? That’s it?
MDE: As a matter of fact, yes, I am. You want to keep working with me, you don’t see Orton anymore. Keep seeing him and I’ll find someone who does want to work with me. He cost you what was yours. He won’t cost us anything else.
JB: No he won’t. But he won’t cost us anything else because I won’t make a mistake again, not because I won’t see him again. That’s my decision.
MDE: Then here’s mine. I’m out of here. When you’ve made the right decision, call me.

MDE leaves the ring and walks out of the gym, leaving Jerry staring after him, surprise on his face.

[Jim Houston]

Jim Houston sits behind his desk in his office, a ponderous look on his face.

”Jack Sevren and TakeOver 2.0... you say things are all new but really this is the same as before. An egotistical leader claiming to be doing things for all when really they’re using others for the betterment of themselves. The Invaders and Hunter Killer fell for it before so why not again? And now here we are once again, me responding to demands made by TakeOver. I don’t bow down to demands out of fear. I’ll listen to requests and I’ll grant them if they’re best for FPW, but only for that reason.

”So... the demands. Let’s take them one at a time and see what I’ve decided to do:

”1. The Invaders receive a Tag Team Championship match within the next two major shows. Simple answer. No. Long answer... The Invaders have hardly wrestled this year and, when they have, they’ve lost. They’re coming off a loss, and a quick one at that, to Marcus Allen Jones and Aaron Williams, two men who have never teamed together before and probably won’t again. No, if The Invaders want a Tag Team Championship match they’ll have to earn it. And if they want to make threats to The Guardians of Strong Style, I’d suggest they be careful.

”2. Hunter Killer receive a reinstatement match. I accept the terms. I’m happy to give people chances, especially given that our Tag Team Champions are currently in Japan because they believe- and I see their point- that there are no teams able to give them a challenge here. That got me thinking. We needed new blood in the tag team ranks and I’ve gone ahead and acquired it. But which team is that strong number one contender? Hunter Killer? Maybe. The Invaders? Maybe. I’ve decided to find out with a long-term gauntlet match, with matches taking place over the next five shows and the winners to face The Guardians of Strong Style at Judgement Day for the Tag Team Championships. Hunter Killer will enter first and The Invaders are in, but who are the other four teams? I believe in giving youth a chance, so The Baxter Brothers are in. I’ve also acquired two new teams, one a young up-and-coming team looking for their big break who go by the name of The Dogs Of War. The other are better known. They are an established top-level team in ALPHA Wrestling and the winners of the very first ICW Tag Team Classic... The Suplex Sweethearts! The other team will be revealed in due course. All I’ll say is that we’ve seen them in FPW before and they’ll reveal their return in due time.

”3. Jack Sevren enters the Dead Man’s Chest match... ok. I’m for it.

”That’s all for now. I look forward to Road To Dead Man’s Chest and will see you all very soon.”

[The_Aviator_GB]

A camera records a dark room, the footage obscured by occasional bursts of static across the lense as a figure sits in the center on a folding steel chair. The figure reveals themselves as Ava Knight a few moments later, although her attire is different than it has been before, mixing the Death Squad's camoflauge with cut-off camoflauge shorts, a tank-top, and boots. Her usual facepaint is gone, and her hair is dyed dark black. She is accompanied by the looming form of Aiden Balmer standing overhead, watching the camera from behind the eyes of a new mask that appears to be his old skull mask as if it was burnt, with a bandana covering the mouth. Balmer is silent as Knight begins to speak.

"Metamorphosis is...a hard concept for most to grasp. For one hundred and six days, we held the Freedom Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championships. We did so in spite of the rules placed upon us, the sanctions that were given to us by Jim Houston, that we could be disqualified and lose our championships, that we could lose them by count-out, and finally, when he had the audacity to give the Guardians of Strong Style one more rematch, he gave them free reign to decide the match stipulation. We accepted, of course, because said match was our own terrain...but unfortunately, certain people had to make victory difficult. Certain people had to be cut loose.

When a wolf is injured, sometimes the only way forward is to chew off its injured leg. In this case...Mister Balmer and I had to make a decision, and our decision was two-fold. Cut off the infected limb...and find two more in its stead."

In the dark around Knight, two other forms appear, their masks the same as Aiden Balmer's.

"Jim Houston was foolish to extend the invitation to a tag team gauntlet to everyone but Death Squad, so we will make this known. On Sunday, we will have a message to send to the Baxter Brothers...and to the rest of Freedom Pro Wrestling. Be warned."

Static fills the screen as the three members of Death Squad look to Ava Knight, who closes her eyes and chuckles as we fade to black. 

[The_Aviator_GB]

We enter on Elizabeth Karlson, who sits in her apartment with her newly-won belt draped across her right shoulder and her hand on the armrest of a larger chair that she sits upon. She wears her standard set of Nike sponsored lightblue-and-black ring gear. She cracks her neck, her face still showing signs of her war with Ana Somnia for the Nike Pro Women's Championship just two nights ago, but she's got a fire burning in her chest and it shows as she begins speaking. 

"Sixteen days ago, at the Free-1 final, I beat James Saturn and Berry Bishop to unify the Freedom Championship and the Freedom Pro Women's Championship. I pinned Saturn, but Berry wasn't there to stop it and as far as I'm concerned, I may as well've beaten her, too. Saturn, easy money, and he can demand a second shot or a rematch all he wants like he's wont to do, but to be honest...the boy just doesn't have 'it'. He didn't have it when he tried to challenge Baker and lost twice in a row, he didn't have it when he had to resort to cheap bullshit to beat me and Berry Bishop in the Young Lions' Cup, and he clearly didn't have it when he lost the Free-1 on more than just a technicality-y'know, unlike myself when I lost to just a tiebreaker. Jace Mason's a good hand, and honestly, if he beat Baker and made his way to the top, I'm not gonna be salty about it. Besides..." Karlson holds her own championship up and cracks half a smile. "I've got my own little domain to solidify, and if Jace wants to swing his Free-1 shot my way, I'm not gonna complain." 

Karlson adjusts her championship on her shoulder, and grabs it in one hand, holding it high. 

"But that's beside the point. At Dead Man's Chest last year, I was in a match competing for the Dead Man's Chest, but now? I've got a prize all my own, and I'm ready for any motherfucker who thinks they've got a pair of nuts to come swingin'. As of today, that's fuckin' nobody. I expected Arty Evans to rear her ugly head, or Berry to come beggin' for a rematch, or honestly anyone at all to come out and ask me for a match, but no one has! What fuckin' gives?" 

Liz looks frustrated for a moment, but she swings her head and her hair back into place with ease. She clears her throat and continues. 

"So, if you want a shot at The Renegade, if you want a shot at The Brick Shithouse and you want to see how it feels to get the taste slapped out of your mouth by a five foot tall hundred-twenty pound stack of dimes like myself, then you better come on up and call me out. Ain't no man, nor woman who I'm gonna refuse the opportunity to bitch-slap, so come on and get me. Come show me what your made of, and I'll show you that my stuff's always gonna be tougher."

Karlson looks as though she's done, before she looks back to the camera. 

"Oh, and at Road to DMC, I want a little thing to slap around. Ava McGuinness, you've been shelved in the dojo for a little while...why don't you come and show me what you've got, girly? I'll be waitin'." 

With this, the scene begins to fade out as Karlson adjusts her belt against her shoulder one last time, sitting back with her legs crossed, satisfied. 

[Covenant]

CLICK! We open on a black background with no features visible to discern our location. The lighting from the camera shines on what appears to be a black fabric a few feet away, suggesting the setting is a studio of some sort, or at least a make-shift variation of one. Softly, a series of purposeful footsteps permeate the air until a glistening head of flowing, blonde hair glides into the frame. This woman, newly signed VANESSA SCOTT, dons mauve lipstick, black mascara, and a deep pink eyeshadow, all of which serve to emphasize her icy, blue eyes. Scott also wears a black, silk blazer over a black, silk portrait-neck top, her straightened hair hanging over each lapel and parted over her parietal. When she smirks, the lighting shimmers off of a small, stud piercing in her left nostril; she soon reaches up to adjust the camera to focus more directly on a woman of her diminutive stature. Once she has found her ideal camera angle, she smiles arrogantly into the lens and addresses the Freedom Pro Universe for the first time since signing her contract less than a week ago.




“Up until recently, I had, like, NO idea who any of you were, let alone this company... But I just know you all know exactly who I am… But in case some of you have been, like, living under a rock or something, allow me to reintroduce myself... My name is Vanessa Scott, and where I come from in ALPHA Wrestling, EVERYBODY knows that… Well? ‘Nessa Knows Best. And what I know? What I know is that at Dead Man’s Chest, it won’t be a dead man whose chest you guys are looking at, hmm? It’ll be mine, among other things… And just below my amazing chest is my Perfectly Sculpted waist… And sooner than later? I’m going to have one of those pretty little Championship belts around it.” (Vanessa narrows her eyes at the camera and chuckles lightly before continuing.) “That shouldn’t come as a surprise, mmkay? You have some wannabe’ like Liz Karlson as a Champion… I mean, really? Like, are you TRYING to embarrass yourselves? Championship gold only looks as good as the person wearing it, and, well… Nobody looks better than Bad Bitch ‘Nessa. And, like, besides... Liz Karlson walks around all of these companies, spreading like an STD, and she acts like she’s some big-time star, some big name… And while we may be the same height, about the same size physically? Nobody is bigger than Vanessa Scott. So, Liz? If you’re through getting your flat ass handed to you by Ana Somnia and Samantha Taylor, why don’t you do yourself and this company a favor of taking me on for that Freedom Championship?” (Without having had even a single matchup thus far in her FPW career, a career still in its infancy, Vanessa Scott has the audacity to challenge tried and true Liz Karlson to a title match? Talk about brash. Vanessa grins as she brushes hair behind her ear to reveal rather simple earrings before pushing on.) “So maybe nobody has the balls to challenge you, Lizzy… But I certainly have the ass... So you can go right ahead and KISS IT... Because I make you look bad just by standing next to you... So just imagine how bad I could make you look when I’m kicking your fugly face off of that ratty head.”

As if silently contrasting her own sultry visage to Karlson’s, Vanessa smirks and wags her head with swagger. Narrowing her eyes with disgust, the Queen of Snark Style blows a small kiss to the camera, as if marking the spot upon which she will drill the sole of her boot, should Karlson accept the offer. When she finishes, she snickers disdainfully and shrugs lightly to emphasize her ensuing verbal skewering.


“Yeah, we’ve never met, Lizzy… In person or in the ring— whatever... And thank GOD for that… I don’t know how long I could stand being in the same, like, general area as the smell coming off of you… Even so, I know I’m better than you, because… I mean, just look at me. And my career might be as young as you are ugly, and I might have a youthful complexion, but I wasn’t born yesterday… I know you don’t have what it takes to keep that title around those love handles because I know you’re the WORST Champion this company’s ever had. Just think about it! You held the Women’s Championship for, like, ninety-one days or something, and you didn’t have a single defense... If I’d been around during those three months, which I reasonably assume were boring as Hell... You would have lost that title on your first defense the same way you lost the NIKE PRO Women’s Championship.” (For someone she’s never had the pleasure or displeasure of countenancing, the vitriol for Karlson with which Vanessa speaks is palpable.) “And, like, I’ve seen the chump you’ve followed around like a lost, little puppy dog for your whole career, so I’m what you might call an authority on this… I know you’ve spent a whole lot of time on your back, so it really shouldn’t surprise me that you couldn’t even find yourself on top long enough to, y’know, actually pin the Champion to get that title… But, I mean… It still does. Know why? Because you’ve somehow not had that title stripped from you.” (Furrowing her brow, Your Boyfriend’s Favorite Wrestler shakes her head in disgust. She chuckles condescendingly for a brief moment before elaborating further.) “Maybe Ana Somnia hit your head so hard you’ve, like, mistaken management for Graham Baker or something, and you’ve spent your whole title reign on your back, but now that Miss Main Event is here, Lizzy? You’re going to have to do something else you’re clearly pretty used to if you’re at this place in your career already… You’re going to have to get on your knees, Lizzy… You’re going to have to get on your knees for me and beg me not to shove my size sevens down your throat even further than you’ve had the, uh... Business of any man in a position of power and influence.”

Vanessa nods her head to emphasize her incredibly offensive and probably inappropriate remark, but the malevolent smirk with which she does so suggests she could not care less what people think of what she says or how she says it. She then shakes her head and glances off camera for a brief moment before drawing a sharp, inward breath and flicking her gaze to the camera. With a cocky demeanor, Your Boyfriend’s Favorite Wrestler continues her verbal assault on the Freedom Champion.


“You issued the open challenge, girl. You talked aaaalllllllll about how you’re, like, a stack of dimes, Lizzy, and I think anyone with eyes could take a look at you, then take a look at me, and see that the only dime here is ME... You’re much more like the penny... Worthless, rusty, and more likely to be found on the floor than anywhere else.” (Scott cackles at her own insult, continuing a long history of self-amusement and, more importantly, self-aggrandizement.) “I know you, like, want to see what I’m made of, Lizzy, but let’s get real for a second… Who doesn’t? Have you SEEN ME?! But, I mean, fine. I’m going to give you just a little taste of what Scotty Too Hotty’s made of… And I’ll give you a hint... It’s more than enough to make Graham Baker drool over me during my ‘Nessa Knows Best segment with Kate Mustang sitting right there.... Twice. I mean, like… I even have Yoshino Nakano drooling all over me… This perfect ass of mine doesn’t discriminate.” (As she says this, Scott gestures down to her backside, though out of frame.) “So if you’re really as tough as you seem to think you are, Lizzy? You’ll follow through on that open challenge and accept my offer to show you what a real woman looks like, a real woman wrestles like… And if you won’t? Well, I mean, even if you do? You’ll still be nothing more than, like, a little bitch... Emphasis on the little... And emphasis... On the bitch.”

With this, Vanessa Scott winks at the camera, blows a small kiss, and turns on her heels. She struts out of frame and disappears off into the distance, her footsteps fading out of earshot. As we fade to black, we are left to ponder Vanessa’s aggressive words and whether or not Liz Karlson will agree to the match the Queen of Snark Style has offered.

xoxo