Judgement Day II Promo Thread

[Jim Houston]

Jim Houston sits behind his desk in his office.



“Well… it seems like there is a lot to say at the moment. After an incredible show tonight, we look forward to Judgement Day II. Now, we already know that The Guardians of Strong Style will be defending their Tag Team Championships against the winners of the Tag Team Number One Contender Gauntlet Series. We also know that Bobby O will be challenging Jack Sevren, with the future of TakeOver 2.0 on the line. We will see the winner of MDE and Graham Baker defending the FPW Championship against the Free-1 winner Jace Mason. We know that Elizabeth Karlson will defend the Freedom Championship against either Botiatus or Aaron Williams.



“But what about our two Road To Judgement Day II shows? Well, for the first show we already know that MDE will defend the FPW Championship in a rubber match with Graham Baker. That match will of course be the main event. We also have Botiatus and Aaron Williams facing one another with the winner going on to challenge for the Freedom Championship at Judgement Day II. We have our next match in the Tag Team Number One Contender Gauntlet Series as The Suplex Sweethearts look to continue their run. We will also see Bobby try to ensure that Hunter Killer are not at ringside for his match with Jack Sevren when he takes them on in a handicap match.



“There are two more matches I wish to make for that show. Artemis Evans spoke of wanting a serious challenge after her victory over Go Shihei. I want to give her that challenge. But who does she face? I have someone in mind. The person I have in mind seems to need some momentum and has spoken of a ‘plan B’ after failing to win his match at Uncensored. I don’t know what this plan is, but it will have to start with a match against Artemis Evans because she will face Marcus Allen Jones.



“And finally for our first Road To Judgement Day II show… there was some tension in the air at Uncensored between two people who I really don’t want to force themselves apart. The Bishop siblings are both wonderful people but they seem on very different roads. I wish to bring those roads back together so have decided to have a tag team match. A team representing Death Squad will face the team of Jerry Bishop and Berry Bishop.



“This leads me onto our second Road To Judgement Day II show. Of course, there will be matches I currently don’t have in mind, but I know that the final match of the Tag Team Number One Contender Gauntlet Series match will take place. We will also see Bobby O face The Invaders as he tries to keep them away from ringside for his match with Jack Sevren. I’d also like to see Vanessa Scott in action as she takes on Danica Jane one-on-one after their triple threat match at Uncensored. Of course, there may be other additions to the card, but that will have to wait until after the first show.



“As we progress towards our biggest show of the year, I want to thank each and every one of you for being on this journey with us, whether you’ve been here from the beginning or from just this past show. I promise you that Judgement Day II will be the biggest show we’ve ever put on.”



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Road To Judgement Day II I (Sunday 24th November):

Match 1: Bobby O vs. Hunter Killer: If Bobby wins, Hunter Killer are banned from ringside at Judgement Day II [Mason to Write]

Match 2: Jerry Bishop and Berry Bishop vs. Death Squad [Houston to Write]

Match 3: Artemis Evans vs. Marcus Allen Jones [Clutch to Write]

Match 4: Tag Team Number One Contender Gauntlet Series Match 4: Suplex Sweethearts vs. ?? [Houston to Write]

Match 5: Number One Contender for the Freedom Championship: Aaron Williams vs. Botiatus [Botiatus To Write]

Match 6: FPW Championship: MDE vs. Graham Baker [Houston to Write]



Road To Judgement Day II II (Sunday 8th December):

Match 1: Bobby O vs. The Invaders: If Bobby wins, The Invaders are banned from ringside at Judgement Day II [Mason to Write]

Match 2: Vanessa Scott vs. Danica Jane [Match Writer Needed]

Match 3: Tag Team Number One Contender Gauntlet Series Match 5: The Suplex Sweethearts vs. The Dogs of War [Houston to Write]

Match 4: MDE vs. Aaron Williams [Houston to Write]

Match 5: Graham Baker responds to Marcus Allen Jones' Challenge [Marcus/Baker to Write]



Judgement Day II (Sunday 22nd December):

Match 1: Number One Contendership for the FPW Tag Team Championships: Death Squad vs. Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt vs. Hunter Killer vs. The Invaders vs. The Suplex Sweethearts [Match Writer Needed]

Match 2: Aaron Williams vs. Artemis Evans [Mason to Write]

Match 3: FPW Tag Team Championships: Guardians of Strong Style vs. The Dogs of War [Match Writer Needed]

Match 4: Freedom Championship: Elizabeth Karlson vs. Botiatus [Mason to Write]

Match 5: Jerry Bishop vs. Berry Bishop [Houston to Write]

Match 6: Jack Sevren vs. Bobby O: If Sevren loses, TakeOver 2.0 must permanently disband [Houston to Write]

Match 7: Loser Leaves FPW: Sixty-Minute Ironman Match: Graham Baker vs. Marcus Allen Jones [Houston to Write]

Match 8: FPW Championship: MDE v Jace Mason [Houston to Write]



I’d appreciate people letting me know about match writing for the two Road To Judgement Day II shows asap. As most of the matches for Judgement Day II are currently unknown, I’m happy for people to wait until the card has been revealed before volunteering to write. As you can see, these shows are quite big, so I appreciate everyone who is able to write even one match, no matter your experience.

[Jim Houston]

MDE walks backstage after his match, Jerry Bishop splitting from him as he gets to the locker room where Ted Crewmember waits for him.

TC: MDE... that was a great match and a big win for you.
MDE: It was a big win for me but it was an expected one. Berry beat me before but that was a different MDE. Now I’m here as the FPW Champion and, I’m sorry Baker and Mason, but I intend to remain the FPW Champion for a long time to come.
TC: Can I ask why you accepted Graham Baker’s challenge? You didn’t have to do that.
MDE: When was the last time I beat Graham Baker?
TC: Um... I don’t-
MDE: April 8th 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. That’s 19 months ago. Since then he’s defeated me twice. But last time he beat me I was a shell of what I am now. He was right about us being two for two but he’s the man with the most recent two wins. If I’m the man I know I am, I’ll beat him. If not, then I don’t deserve this belt around my waist.
TC: And finally, what can you say about that moment with Jerry-
MDE: Jerry Bishop and I are partners. We work together to support one another’s aims. We worked together on this match and he helped me to prepare. After the match he raised my arm like any good partner would do.
TC: But he was helping you to prepare to beat his sister...
MDE: Who better to help me?
TC: I...
MDE: Nobody knows Berry Bishop as well as Jerry. Not even me. He helped me to win my match and I’ll do the same for him the next time he has a match. We make each other better, and if I ever lose this title, I know he’ll be ready to claim it. He’s as good as I’ve ever seen him. Whoever he faces at Judgement Day won’t stand a chance, just like Jace Mason won’t stand a chance against me after I beat Baker. The kid won the Free-1. Fair play to him. But he’s about to step into the ring with the best in this company and he won’t be able to sneak a win like he did against Aaron Williams. If that were me against Williams, I’d have won in fifteen minutes. It took Mason double that after losing to him before. Jace Mason is not on my level, and I look forward to proving that at Judgement Day II.

MDE walks through the locker room door, leaving Ted to shake his head.

[marileeg17]

(FPW.com Exclusive)

Shortly after the show goes off the air, Bobby is met by a young woman holding a mic. He doesn't recognize her, but he notices Ted.

BO: No Dasha?

Ted shakes his head.

TC: This is Amanda. She's an intern working with us in production. Dasha had to…

Bobby nods his head.

BO: I get it. Not sure I could have done this interview in her shoes...after that main event...I can't believe...Nevermind.

Ted sighs as he finishes micing up his intern.

TC: All set kid?

Amanda nods a little nervously.

TC: Don't worry, Bobby's one of the easy ones.

Bobby smiles and puts on the charm.

BO: I won't bite. Promise.

Amanda nods again before taking a deep breath.

A: I'm here with Bobby O. Bobby, tonight was certainly a big one for you. You picked up a big win and got Jim Houston to agree to a match you've wanted for a while. You must be feeling pretty good right now.

BO: Wrestling is a funny thing Amanda. There are ups and there are downs. Kinda like this crazy roller coaster you're just on your whole career. And Lord knows I've seen my ups and downs...Tonight, I got to experience both within a few hours. Listen, I knew that tag match, I knew what could have happened out there. Bo went down and of course I thought about what could have happened. But I guess I was still ignorantly holding onto this glimmer of hope. But when I looked into those eyes, that paint stained face that covered where a mask of honor and integrity used to sit...I don't want to go too far into it. Let's just say, Jerry made his choice and at the end of the day, no one can say I didn't try. I guess I just never thought...I mean, his own sister…

Bobby pauses as he looks knowingly at Ted.

BO: Like I said, the Joker made his choice.

A: Talk about what happened later in the show. After Jack Sevren's match. Why choose then to confront him?

BO: No time like the present right? See Amanda, I've been doing some soul searching recently and you know what I realized? I realized that ever since I used my Dead Man's Chest to try to regain the tag titles I felt responsible for us losing, that I haven't done a damn thing for me. And what has that gotten me? I essentially gave my Free-1 spot away just to watch the man I gave it to turn into someone unrecognizable before my eyes. And when I tried to help him, I got attacked. And when I tried to help someone else, I got left high and dry. I went to the back after that match and it dawned on me. I've been spending the last several months focused on someone else's career and not my own. But that ended today. It's time for me to go back to being the Bobby I used to be. The one who can beat Jack Sevren and MDE, the one who has beaten them both in the past. Not saying I'm gonna start wielding a lead pipe again...but...the intensity is coming back. The intentionality. I'm not taking a back seat anymore, not to anyone. I'm taking what I want. Look, I stood back and let Marcus have his chance but he failed. And where he failed, I'll succeed. I'm taking out TakeOver one by one until I take out Jack once and for all.

A: As we saw tonight, TakeOver is always one step ahead. So what's your plan?

BO: Well, I'm certainly not going to reveal that but what I will say is, I've got two handicap matches in two consecutive weeks against two pretty good teams. My plan? My plan is to focus. My plan is to train harder than I ever have. And my plan is to use everything I know about Jack Sevren against him. TakeOver is formidable but they've never wrestled someone like me. Never faced a tiger who spent his life in a cage only to finally escape. What happens next in my career, I don't know. But I do know that I'll be in control. And maybe just maybe, after I beat Jack, I'll go back to what I should have done the first time I won the DMC. I'll target some gold.

Bobby winks at the camera before walking out of shot.

Amanda turns back to Ted who smiles.

TC: See, like I told ya. One of the easier ones.

A: Think he'll be able to do it? I mean, no one's been able to take down TakeOver yet.

Ted nods.

TC: I saw something in his eyes...I've known Bobby a long time and I've never seen that before. It's like a switch went off. Honestly? Right now I think he's a guy who can beat anybody, even TakeOver.

[ticktock]

After Bobby walks away, Aaron Williams walks up to Amy and Ted.

TC: Assignment number two. How you doing Aaron?

AW: Not so great. My knee hurts like a motherfucker. And another loss. I’ve got to find my energy again.

TC: This is Amy. She’s-

AW: Yeah I heard your introduction for Bobby. Hello there. I used to enjoy being interviewed by Dasha but you’re someone I could get used to.

A: Umm... I...

AW: I’m just messing with you! You good?

A: Yeah... so Aaron, you just had a great match with Jace Mason but you came up short. What do you think cost you that match?

AW: Good question. Honestly, Amy, I’m not sure what I’d have done differently. The first time I faced Jace, he was unsure of himself. He gave me openings and I was able to take them. He started this match similarly and I thought maybe this one would be the same. But it wasn’t. Jace really stepped up as this match went on and he caught me. I vowed not to let him get my leg but I couldn’t keep him off for the whole match. When I said he was one of the best young wrestlers in the world, I didn’t expect him to get this good this fast. He was better than me today and I know he has what it takes to end Judgement Day II with the belt in his hands.

A: You also have a chance to come out of Judgement Day with a belt in your hands but you have to go through Botiatus first. Can you beat Bo?

AW: Short answer yes. Long answer... hell to the fucking yessssssss. Look Aims, Botiatus is a good wrestler with a lot of strong points. He’s experienced and he’s held titles in other places. He’s not a young gun as such like Jace is. So he’ll be a different challenge for me. But I’ll find my opening and I will not lose this match. I’ve had enough of losing the match of the night. Don’t get me wrong, having the match of the night is something I always aim to do, but it would be nice to start winning some of them, you know? This is where I start. Beat Botiatus and then go after that Freedom Championship like my life depends on it.

A: With Jace Mason’s opponent at Judgement Day II likely to have a second in the form of either Jerry Bishop or Kate Mustang, will you be seconding Jace in that match?

AW: I don’t know. If he wants me to, and if I’m able to after my own match, I’d be happy to be there for my friend. If not, I’ll leave him to it. That’s not my call to make.

A: Thank you for joining me. Good luck in your match with Bo.

AW: Thank you, Amy. The way I’m going at the moment, I think I’ll need all the luck I can get!

[Jim Houston]

Sato stands in focus while there is a blurred ring behind him. Two figures in the ring are striking one another fiercely and growling at each other, seemingly in Japanese.

“At Uncensored, Suplex Sweethearts got another win. Suplex Sweethearts impressive. Suplex Sweethearts may be facing Guardians of Strong Style. But still two matches to go. Guardians of Strong Style training hard. Tag Team Gauntlet Series produce worthy challenger. Guardians of Strong Style will be ready for any team. Guardians of Strong Style only two-time champions in any FPW division. Guardians of Strong Style best tag team in FPW and best tag team FPW has ever seen. Not Invaders. Not Sevren and O. Not Death Squad. Not Bishops. Not Williams and Mason. Guardians of Strong Style. At Judgement Day II, Tchyukiro-San and Takahara-San going to prove Guardians of Strong Style best tag team in world. When Guardians of Strong Style beat next opponent, Guardians of Strong Style run through other teams Guardians of Strong Style not faced before. Then what? Then FPW run out of teams to challenge us. Need new teams. Always need new teams to challenge Guardians of Strong Style.

“At Road To Judgement Day II second show, Takahara-San, Tchyukiro-San And Sato-San be in Chicago. Guardians of Strong Style watch Tag Team Gauntlet Series final closely. Guardians of Strong Style make impression on winners. See you in Chicago.”

[kingclutch]

Richard Crowley is backstage with Russ Bolt. They are talking indistinctly. All of a sudden the locker room is thrown open.

DJ: Hey Rich, how ya doin' buddy? You know I seem to remember making a simple request from you. All I wanted was a match to prepare for Vanessa and Liz. So imagine my fucking surprise when I DIDN'T have one.

RC: If you have a point Miss Jane, I'm still waiting to hear it...

DJ: all I've wanted is to get exposure to Clutch's world that I couldn't get otherwise. So I want to know: WHY?

RC: Oh trust, you don't want to

DJ: Oh trust, I DO.

RC: *sighs* Very well. Frankly, I don't know why in God's name Jim Houston keeps giving you matches. You don't deserve a spot on the card at a state fair, let alone in FPW. The focus of this team should be on Clutch and Russ that for some inexplicable reason has shifted to you. The only match you've EVER won was ONLY because Clutch sucker-punched your opponent. But whenever you're done playing wrestler, there's business to attend to.

*Danica scoffs, then leaves in a rage*

Crowley: Some people just can't hear the truth. Clutch, I've tried to hold my tongue for some time, but I can't anymore sir. There's an old saying: "Women weaken legs." You've gotten soft, you've gotten weak and I've known the reason but now I can say something. I've watched you fall and get back up again just to see you fall into this debacle you've gotten yourself into. Steven....either Danica goes....or I do. I didn't want it to come to this, but recent events have forced my hand.

*Crowley departs*

RB: Damn man. I know they had their differences, but I never thought it would come to this.

CM: Hell, they've always been at each other's throats. Even before Danica was involved in my representation.

RB: Yeah true, it's just never been this bad before.

CM: Yeah it's just...with Rich....he's

RB: He's the closest thing you've had to a dad.

*Clutch nods*

CM: But with Danica, I have the chance to make things so much better than they were with my parents. The choice itself isn't hard, but coming to terms with it might be.
Nah man, the choice is easy.

*Clutch pulls a velvet box out from his coat pocket*

Russ: *whistles* Daaaaamn bro

Clutch: *puts the box back in his pocket* I just need the right moment.

Clutch and Russ smile and they shake hands.

[botiatus]

It's close to midnight following the conclusion of Uncensored and the arena is nearly deserted. Ted Crewmember is finally finished with a hectic day of training the new intern and looks ready for a long night's sleep. He wearily heads down the hall towards the exit but as he turns the corner he runs right into Bo who's now in street clothes

Bo- "Oh hey man. I didn't think there was anybody else left here

TC- "Neither did I. I'm always the last to leave here"

Bo- "I'll bet. You seem to wear a lot of different hats around here"

TC- "Eh, I just try to help out wherever I can"

Bo- "Speaking of help thanks again for what you did. I would've lost today on my own"

TC- "I don't know if I deserve thanks too be honest. I told you where to find Jerry but he walked out of your match without ever throwing a single punch. You don't seem too upset about it though"

Bo- "House Rules Ted. I live by them even when I may not like it. The fact is I promised Jerry that he would never have to work with Bobby at all so I can't really be mad at what he did. I got the win so that's what matters at the end of the day"

TC- "That's certainly one way to look at it"

Bo- "And also you're forgetting that you gave me Bobby's number so like I said you deserve my thanks and I'm giving it. I owe you one man. Just like I owe Bobby one and just like I somewhat unfortunately owe Jerry one. And I may not be a Lannister but I always pay my debts. As long as it doesn't go against House Rules of course"

TC- "I guess i'll take that. You did win and thanks to that you have a number 1 contenders match for the Freedom Championship against Aaron Williams"

Bo- "Yeah that's gonna be a nice change of pace for me. Outside of the Rumble all my matches lately have been kinda short. I've had an eye on Aaron since I got here and he's not the type to let you score a quick victory over him. I have a feeling i'll have to dig deep into my bag of tricks for this one. Right now though I just wanna dig into some food. I've been here waaayyyy too long and I'm starving.

Bo and Ted shake hands before both men head out the door going their separate ways

[Jim Houston]

MDE is sat in a dark room on a simple steel chair, the FPW Championship resting across his knees and broken weaponry scattered around his feet.

“This seems like a situation where you might not be expecting to find me. There was once another, someone who held this FPW Championship and valued it above anything else. Someone who frequented these dark rooms and used these weapons to advance their agenda. This man begin his FPW career with me. This man lost to me twice before winning a victory that he still talks about today and being propelled into superstardom. He won the biggest independent tournament in the world. He stayed FPW’s dragon at Judgement Day and he reigned supreme with this title over his shoulder. Everyone he faced, myself included, he defeated soundly. But one man stopped him. And he went mad. Losing this title led him down a rabbit warren the likes of which nobody could have expected. He turned vicious, remorseless, merciless. He challenged for that title again and couldn’t win. He stumbled into the Free-1 final and lost to a man who lacks his ability. He went through a series of dull matches and then he came back one more time. He challenged one more time. He wanted to face me one more time.

“Graham Baker... let me tell you that you’ve made a horrific mistake. Let’s be honest with each other... the last time we stepped in that ring and stood face to face, testing one another’s ability... you beat me. In fact, you beat me with ease. But we both know I’m a new man now. Becoming a trainer has reinvigorated me, has refocused me. Working with my partner Jerry Bishop has helped me regain the spark that I lost before I faced you. Stepping into a ring day in and day out with the most naturally gifted wrestler I’ve ever faced has made me step up my game more than anything else ever has. And now I stand here with the FPW Championship and with my first successful title defense over someone I’d not beaten until four days ago. I sit here with this championship that you consider sacred and, what’s more, I deserve to have it. I deserve to have it and you don’t. Because, Graham... we both know I’m a new man know... but we both also know that you are too.

“You’ve lost what made you... you. As FPW Champion, you were untouchable. Nobody was on your level. But as soon as this title left your shoulder... and in such a dominant fashion... you’re the one whose lost your spark now. You’re the one chasing. You’re the one who needs me. In the Free-1, your aggression almost cost you everything. Jerry certainly had you beaten. And now you’re going to step into the ring with a man who will take advantage of every mistake, every misstep, every time you let your anger get the better of you. Sure you might get your shots in and you might even come close, but there will be a time in this match where all of the anger and frustration at not just not having this belt but seeing the one man who you hate more than any other with it... there will be that time when all of that boils over and I finally put you down. And when I do, I’ll be the one with the advantage over you, I’ll be the one with the FPW Championship and I’ll be the one who people finally recognise is the better wrestler.

“So Graham... you’d better spend the next week and a half meditating and colouring in pretty patterns, because if you can’t keep your head against me, you’ll lose your head, your arms and your legs too. When it’s all said and done, you’ll walk away one more time without the one thing you need to really be The Aviator once again. And then what? After this match, what’s left for Graham Baker? I’m not sure there is anything.”

MDE lifts up the belt and holds it up to the camera, arching one eyebrow before the video fades to black.

[marileeg17]

Following his match, Marcus storms through the curtain finding that Dasha and Ted are waiting on the other side. Marcus sighs heavily, shakes his head and keeps walking.

DB: Marcus, if you could just give us a few moments…

Dasha pauses as her and Ted begin to follow Marcus. He hears the footsteps and senses their presence before turning around in a huff that causes Dasha to take a step back

MAJ: I'm sorry...But I'm not doing this right now.

DB: I know you don't want to, but Marcus, it's my job to ask...Tonight, you--

Marcus interrupts.

MAJ: You want me to do an interview? I'll do an interview. Give me that.

Marcus grabs the mic from Dasha.

MAJ: Tonight...Tonight didn't go my way. Thanks for pointing that out...Damn, I invented that. 5-on-1. Fuckin' hell, I taught them that. They hated each other. I had to get them on the same page. I made them a well-oiled machine...But then I did exactly what I said I wasn't going to do. I fell right into the damn trap that I fuckin' taught them how to set. So you wanna know I feel? Furious. Furious that I let this happen. I made myself a promise. I'd rid this place of TakeOver. I failed. I failed because I was so convinced I knew them inside and out. That never really mattered though, did it? I stepped into that ring knowing it would be a 5-on-1. Dammit.

Slowly, Dasha reaches out and grabs the mic back.

DB: Earlier tonight, you talked about a Plan B--

Marcus interrupts again.

MAJ: Plan B...I didn't know if I wanted this but now I have no choice. I have no choice because I've been nothing for months. Everything I've said, I've failed to do. I've lost my confidence and there's only one way to get it back. Plan B. It's the only option now. The ONLY option.

DB: You turned over a new leaf over the past few months. Should we be concerned your Plan B will put you back on that path?

MAJ: Very concerned...Turned over a new leaf. Everyone's been saying that. Ever since I...it doesn't matter. What matters is that this new leaf has not yielded anything for me so I have to question what that means for me and my career. Where do I go from here? I go to Plan B and if that doesn't work, there is no Plans C through Z. I have one shot left and I don't care what the fans think. I'm taking it. Plan B is it and everyone better be ready.

Marcus walks off leaving Dasha slightly concerned by what the implications of his comments might mean.

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up in Jerry Bishop's home as he returns from Road to Judgment Day. He tosses his coat to the floor, leans back against the door and runs his hands through his hair puffing air through his lips.*

JB: Right... Well... this is going to make Thanksgiving awkward...

*Bishop walks to his living room and grabs a glass from his bar, popping the top off a bottle of bourbon. He catches himself. He glances at the bottle in his hand and looks back to the fridge, where he keeps his usual post-show brews. Bishop shakes his head and pours the drink.*

JB: No, all this has just been too much.

*He then walks to his record player and picks up the album for "Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd" he discovered in his collection recently. His father's initials prominently displayed in the corner.*

JB: Berry's family. ...but she couldn't get the win. That's what this was about. It was about teaching her that showmanship isn't everything. That's my responsibility, to her and the fans.

*Bishop slides the record from the sleeve and places it on the turntable. He drops the needle onto the disk and slumps onto the couch.*

JB: Alright, Dad, what else have you hidden away from me on this album?

*Bishop takes a sip and almost gags on it when he hears the opening lyrics to this track.*

JB: No way.

*Bishop listens to the song and his expression slowly changes from shock to a smile as he takes in the lyrics*

JB: Dad, you clever boy. You should've given this to me sooner.

*Bishop continues to sip his drink. His smile broadens as the song continues. He leans back on the couch with a wide grin as the closing lyrics repeat, Bishop semi-singing along.*

JB: The Joker is me...

*He raises his eyes and looks straight down the camera with a smirk.*

JB: You're god damn right, he is.

*Smash to black as the track ends*

[Jim Houston]

MDE rests against the ropes, obviously in the middle of a training session.

"While my sparring partner is taking a break, I thought I'd send this message... Graham... I must say I'm disappointed. While I prefer to do let me actions speak for me in the ring, I'd be lying if I said I didn't used to enjoy our little back and forth. But you've been silent for the past week. After challenging me you've backed it up with... precisely nothing. I hope you're training. I hope you don't have any time to respond to me because you're so focussed on getting in top condition. Because that's what I want. No excuses. For either of us. You'll get the best of me and I want the best of you... if that man even exists anymore."

MDE turns as footsteps approach the ring.

"Jerry... let's work you and Balmer next."

[ticktock]

Aaron Williams sits on the edge of a ring with several trainees surrounding him.

“That was a great session. Since I was last here those of you who I know have made a huge amount of progress. There’s a lot of new faces with potential too. Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m sure I’ll be seeing some of you on the local Philly scene very soon and, if I’m lucky, hopefully I’ll get to step into the ring with you myself. I think my next intermediate seminar here is... 4th December... so I hope to see you all again.”

Aaron hopes off the apron as most of the trainees break off to head home. One of them catches him and offers him his hand.

“I’m Harry. Harry Arnold.”

AW: Nice to meet you, Harry.
HA: That was an awesome session tonight. I... this is stupid but I’m a really big fan of yours.
AW: Thanks. How long have you been wrestling for?
HA: About three months.
AW: Three months?! Really?
HA: Yeah... I know it seems like less than that but I’m working hard to get-
AW: You're good. I’d have bet that you’d been doing this for closer to six months. You have some natural talent, kid.
HA: Hearing you say that to me is... it’s... it really means something. Thank you.
AW: Keep at it. I’ll put a word in with a few guys I know who I think you’ll really enjoy training with.
HA: Thank you so much...

Williams nods and begins to walk away.

HA: Wait...
AW: What’s up?
HA: I... this might seem ridiculous but I’ve watched a lot of Botiatus matches. I hoped you might... I mean... I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but there are a few things maybe you could exploit.
AW: I’m sure there are. I’ve got a few matches coming up that I’m training for... but I’m free for a bit tomorrow. You want to come train with me and we can see if we can work on those things we can exploit.
HA: Train with you... I couldn’t... I mean... I’m not good enough.
AW: If you can help me with Bo, you’re good enough for me. If I didn’t think you could help me, I wouldn’t have asked. What do you say?
HA: It would be an honour. Thank you.
AW: Thank you. What do say... here at 11 tomorrow?
HA: I’ll be there. I’ll be there!
AW: I’ve got to go. I’ll see you then.

Williams walks away with a satisfied smile on his face.

[botiatus]

Bo is back in the gym once again. He finishes yet another set of running ropes as he walks over to J who's standing on the apron with a water bottle in hand. Bo downs the entire bottle in one quick chug before shooting the empty bottle into the nearby trash can

J- "I've been doing my homework and I think i've got everything we need for a film breakdown of Williams"

Bo- "No need"

J- "Really?"

Bo- "Yeah. Before you were able to get out here with me, I did Aaron a favor and sat ringside for one of his matches"

J- "You did him a favor? Almost sounds like you're friends with the guy"

Bo chuckles as leans with his arms over the ropes

Bo- "It's not exactly like that. He put out an open call for help. I happened to have a common enemy with him at the time so it was as much to my benefit as it was his"

J- "Ok, so tell me your breakdown of him"

Bo sighs as he turns around, now leaning backwards into the ropes

Bo- "Well he's similar to me in a lot of ways. He's well rounded and doesn't have to rely on one skill to get the job done. He's not quite as powerful but he makes up for it with more high impact moves and he's more flippy than I am. That 450 Splash of his is a thing of beauty"

J- "Ok that's about what I saw as well. I think you'll have to be smart whenever you're around the ropes. Look to break his momentum whenever you can, even at the expense of your own momentum. If you turn this match into more of an ugly dog fight I think Williams will really struggle with that kind of pace"

Bo- "That's exactly the same thought I had... at first. But that's not what I plan to do"

Bo turns around again as he looks J in the eye"

Bo- "If I win this match i'll be facing Liz Carlson. I won't have an advantage slowing things down against her cause that's her specialty. I'll be better off simply doing what I do best. Adjusting on the fly and picking the right spots to push the tempo. So that's what i'll do against Aaron"

J gives a curious look as he knows an explanation is coming

Bo- "Aaron wrestles a very similar style to me. Replace some of the flippy shit with power moves and we're damn near identical. Aaron faced Karlson in the A Block final of the Free-1. And he lost. Which means if I'm going to beat Karlson I'll have to be better at what I do then Aaron is"

J sighs and chuckles to himself

J- "There's only way to find that out... Ok then we'll stick to normal training regimen. Finish hitting it hard today and then tomorrow is cheat day"

Bo has already begun walking back across the ring but he stops in his tracks turning around quickly

Bo- "Come on now J, you know there's no cheating in the H.O.B. But I am looking forward to one of those new Krispy Kreme donuts!"

Bo resumes his workout as the shot pans around the gym before landing on a calendar on the wall. On it a date is circled in blue, Nov 24th. The shot then fades to black

[noname1525]

A Dasha Banks interview video was uploaded to the FPW website, opening with Dasha sitting on a couch and looking into the camera.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining me at this time. With me today is someone who's had quite the year with us in 2019, and now stands poised to become one of the biggest stars in FPW. Please join me in welcoming the winner of the 2019 Free-1 tournament, Jace Mason.

The camera changes to show Jace sitting across from Dasha, the Free-1 trophy sitting on a table next to his couch. "Hello Dasha."

"Jace, last week you solidified your spot in the main event of our biggest show of the year, retaining your possession of the Free-1 trophy against Aaron Williams. As a humble backstage consultant/ring announcer, I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling. Do you mind enlightening me?"

"Of course. I think the best way to describe how I'm feeling right now is overwhelmed. The title match at Judgement Day is unquestionably the biggest match of my career, but I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I've spent so long trying to get there, but now I have no idea what I'm going to do once I get there. It's like I blinked, and suddenly the title match is a month away."

"Well let's talk about how you got here: the Free-1 tournament. You came out on top of the highly contested A block and faced Graham Baker in what many people have called the match of the year in FPW-"

" I hadn't heard that!" Jace interrupted. "Are they really saying that?"

"Yes, there has been a lot of people praising your match with Baker. Can you walk me through that night, what was going on in your head?"

"Well, mostly I was excited, but there was a fair amount of nervousness as well. I'd never beaten Graham before, and as you've seen, he'd changed a lot since the last time I'd wrestled him. But I just went out there, and did everything I could to win, and somehow, I walked away as the second-ever Free-1 champion."

"I know you said that it seems like the Judgement Day match is suddenly on top of you, but how do you think the training for that match is going to differ from the match with Baker, if at all?"

"Well, there are a lot of similarities. Both MDE and Graham are renowned technical wrestlers, which means I'm going to focus on my conditioning in order to outlast them. But MDE is a little more power-focused, while Graham is more of a striker and high-flyer. I haven't wrestled a lot of powerhouses in my career, so it's going to be an interesting task."

"And finally, before we go, something that flew somewhat under the radar during the first half of 2019 was your run with the Freedom championship. Some of our more eagle-eyed viewers noticed that you became the longest reigning champion in the title's history, as both the Hardcore and Freedom title. Tell me a little about your time as champion."

"Well, it was pretty simple, I just did what I always do, have the best matches I can, against the best opponents I can find. I did my best to give people the same opportunities that I received, and didn't let anything go to my head. And I'd like to think that I had a very successful run with that belt."

"Well, thank you for your time today Jace, it's always a pleasure to have you here."

"It's a pleasure to be here Dasha."

[The_Aviator_GB]

We enter on Graham Baker, and it quickly becomes apparent that he's been training at the same gym he trained at previously for his last four encounters with MDE. Baker sweats as he wipes his face off with a cloth, looking dead into the camera. 

"What is there left to say, MDE? I've beaten you decisively twice, you've beaten me once and tricked your way into victory a second time. What-do you think that things have changed because you attached yourself to Jerry Bishop? You think your desire to bring him higher makes you better? You think you're strong as hell, unstoppable, the whole nine yards-just because you've got a sparring partner at ringside? 

Let me be the first to shatter that illusion. No more words, no more bullshit-at Road to Judgment Day, I right my first wrong in losing that championship, and move on to right my second when I end Jace Mason's career at JDII. There's no ifs, ands, or buts...there's only certain victory."

Baker chuckles, and looks back to his weights. 

"See you Saturday, 'old pal'."