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AGGRESSION 59: IC #1 Contender: Dopesmoker vs. Impulse

DBrunkGXW

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For an Intercontinental Title shot at Wrestleverse.

Post all RP here.
 
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User Poets

The Shadow Pope
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Look Closer

How do you score this one?

Am I undefeated in the Empire, unstoppable when on my own and on my honor, the only blemish on my record that of an unofficial five - on - one handicap match? Or am I undefeated in my 'real' career, with a pair of tag team matches to ease the transition and introduce me to the Empire?

And is it really an undefeated record when it looks on the surface, like Copycat got counted out because he grew weary beating on me?

Look closer.

There were two matches teamed with a man known as the Escape Artist. I knew what I was getting into - I knew he would want to get the win with the cage escape. I knew that going into things.

Just like I hope he knew, going into things, that that's not my way. I know he's spoken about feeling betrayed, but if he was serious, he has nobody to blame but himself for not realizing that I was not going to leave that cage without pinning our opponents, or being pinned myself.

Against the Colossals, it was somewhat egotistical, as I wanted to show the Empire what it is I can do. To show up, get a nice reaction considering I have no track record in this company as yet, and I don't think it would've been giving the fans their moneys worth to wrestle for a few minutes and make a hasty escape when the opportunity presented.

That's not me.

Against the Heirs of Wrestling, Stalker, and Steven Shane... I have far too much respect for championships and what they represent in this business to escape like that.

Look closer.

We were involved in something called the King of the Cage tournament, in a match with the Empire World Tag Team Championship on the line. By all rights and reason, the Kings of the Cage should be the best tag team in the whole of the Empire; this is at direct odds with the fact that the Empire World Tag Team Champions should be the best tag team in the whole Empire.

To separate the two would have been unfair to us, to the Heirs, to Stalker and Shane, and to the fans who demand the best wrestling possible for their dollar. I regret that my being pinned caused the Heirs to lose their Championship, but on the flipside, if they truly deserved the belts at that time they would have won the match.

Moving from a loss to the former and current Champions, directly into a match with the number one contender to the Empire World Championship, Copycat. And, of course, as we all saw, he was in complete control the entire time.

Look closer.

Copycat wrestled like a man possessed, but he couldn't put me away.

I wouldn't let him.

I had total control.

I wrestled with a mindset of total defense, to prove a point: I was told that at Aggression 58, I will find out just how Cat furthers the evolution of attitudes that do not align with His all - important vision.

Case in point - my attitude did not align, my attitude does not align, my attitude will not align. And as it stands, Aaron Jones' Messiah, Copycat, did not have the strength of his conviction to finish the job.

What makes him think that his attempt to wrest Anarky's Empire World Championship at Wrestleverse will end any differently?

Which brings us full circle, to the Dopesmoker, Erik Black, and a shot at the Empire Intercontinental Championship on the line...

(FADEIN...)

"Wow," said Lou, "that was ridiculous."

"Yeah," said Sally, "Could've probably saved some time, starting off by saying 'Concerning Hobbits;' that way they'd know they should sit down and take a nap while they wait for you to stop your yappin'."

(My friends can be so supportive.

We're sitting at a round table at TC's, with my camera resting in front of me. You can see the half full (I'm an optimist!) pint glass in front of me, my old roommate Lou in the distance to the right, and an empty space in the distance to the left.

There's only about six other people here tonight, so nobody's complained about the fact that I'm currently playing 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd on the jukebox, one track after another. It truly is a collection of great dance songs.

And...)

"You should probably say something about the Dopesmoker," said Lou, "You've got the history with him already, it should be a sugar moment."

That's the problem, I said, there really isn't. As much as he seemed to want there to be during last week's Aggression buildup, I have no animosity toward him. I wished him well and expressed a desire to be at peace, and he conspiracy - theoried my calling him a coward.

Rosie, I said, maybe they're right when they say smoking up makes you paranoid. Do you feel like there's someone behind you?

(Rose just got here, with refills on her drink and Sally's, so I kind of blindsided her. She sat in the chair, filling the empty space next to Luis.)

"I... take it I missed something," said Rosie, taking a sip of her cucumber martini.

(I know, I laughed, too - but she had one at Stanton Social last fall and brought the recipe to TC's.)

"We're trying to help Knox come up with something to throw at Erik Black," said Lou, "and he's having trouble thinking of anything possibly acrimonious to say, so he's going to go the friendship route. And since you two have something in common..."

(We all looked at Rosie, who shrugged her shoulders, professing innocence.)

"What, should I offer him some medical grade?" asked Rosie, laughing, "I've got a prescription, does he?"

Good idea, I said, but bad timing. I don't know what kind of policy Ryan has--

"RK," said Rose.

Yes, dear?

"He's paying a guy who calls himself the Dopesmoker. What do you think?"

I don't want to presume.

"I think we can presume in this case."

(We laughed, but it was a little empty on my part. Rosie's commentary about her medical grade bud was funny, but it - and the new hospital bracelet on her wrist - was too familiar of a reminder that her problems are still very much present.

Ideas continued to flow - some good, some not so good, and some so outlandish that they might actually work.

But it's not my style.

FADE)

So that's the way it goes right now, Dopesmoker. I have nothing against you, and am still grateful for the fact that you partnered with me for my first two matches. Yes, you escaped the cage while I was too stubborn, but the fact remains, you were part of my transition to this company and I thank you.

And to me, this match is less to do with who gets a shot at Michael Bastard, and more to do with coming full circle in my first few weeks as part of this company. Don't get me wrong, I'm going into this with full intent on getting a clean pin and a shot at the Empire's Intercontinental Championship, but if it doesn't go that way, it doesn't go that way.

Because I'm looking closer.

I'm looking at an opportunity for both of us - highly talented and not on the main event radar - to break out of the center.

I'm ready.

Are you?

Look closer.
 

RStrawsma

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Re: Look Closer

(OPEN: The big bang... exactly how it appears in the final scene of the movie Akira. Looks like someone had a little Otaku rubbed off on him at the last show.)

“I AM... DOPESMOKER!!”

(CUE UP: “Intergalactic Prism” by the Hedons as we’re beaming through the space and time continuum at warp speed.)

(FADE: Our journey takes us to backstage at a local wrestling event. Pretty much the same set-up as last time. Our favorite reporter KENNY LOMBARDO steps into the frame and walks up to the door with the name “DOPESMOKER” clearly printed on it this time. He gives it a couple knocks...)

Kenny Lombardo
Uh... Dopesmoker? Kenny Lombardo here... I was wondering if I could get a few comments...?

(The reply doesn’t come, but the door is open a crack, and Kenny visibly thinks to himself, “What the hell?” He opens it, and thankfully, they didn’t stuff the professional wrestling “Escape Artist” into a broom closet like last time. Inside is a small yet efficient private dressing room. The reporter enters and the cameraman follows, catching sight of all of Dopesmoker’s regular paraphernalia spread out over the counter. Only problem is... there’s no Dopesmoker.)

Kenny Lombardo
Hmm... I must have just missed him...

(Kenny makes to head out, prompting the cameraman to turn around and head back to the door. Without warning, though, it comes swinging open, revealing the wild and reddened eyes of a STONER MADMAN standing on the other side.)

Dopesmoker
HASH-MONKEYS!!

Kenny Lombardo
HOLY CRAP!!

(A brief moment of pandemonium breaks out as the cameraman springs back and nearly topples over an equally surprised Kenny Lombardo. Through the commotion, it catches sight of Dopesmoker zipping past in an awkward somersault motion, coming to a loud and destructive landing through a folding table and pile of boxes pushed up against the wall.)

(SFX: *CRASH!!*)

(A few seconds of silence follow as Kenny gets up and dusts himself off... then walks over to the mess that the stoner daredevil just threw himself into.)

Kenny Lombardo
Uh... Dopesmoker?

(The reporter reaches down and helps the Escape Artist back to his feet. Initially, he stumbles and looks a little dazed, but quickly comes around.)

Dopesmoker
Whoa, dude... thanks... but you should be more CAREFUL walking in and out my place like that. Ever since that whole DEA sting thing, I’ve been a little on edge. I could have just DESTROYED you without warning with a corkscrew frankensteiner, or some cool ass shit!

Kenny Lombardo
Oh, was that what was just happening there? It look like you just threw yourself head-first into a table...

Dopesmoker
HA! Thankfully for YOU I was able to stop myself from unleashing the cosmic FURY on you! It’s not so much physically destructive as it is MENTALLY destructive as well, you know. You have such a fragile mind as it is, K-Lomb... I dare say I’d turn your hair WHITE if you were to experience my awesomeness firsthand!

Kenny Lombardo
I’ll remember that, D-S... but let’s get into why I came here.

Dopesmoker
Right on, man... BUT FIRST!

...look closer.

Kenny Lombardo
Huh?

Dopesmoker
Look CLOSER, dude!

(Dopesmoker keeps waving his hands toward the bright green t-shirt he’s wearing beneath a crimson Japanese silk robe.)

Kenny Lombardo
It’s, uhh... it’s a Sleep t-shirt. Yeah, I get it... you like that band.

Dopesmoker
LOOK CLOSER, K-Lomb!

Kenny Lombardo
Okay, there’s... it looks like there’s an astronaut in there. Awesome. What’s the point?

Dopesmoker
Fucked if I knew, but damn it, Kenny, get with me here and LOOK... CLOSER!!!

Kenny Lombardo
...are you high?

Dopesmoker
EXTREMELY, but that’s not important right now! THIS IS IMPORTANT, Kenny! Now LOOK CLOSER!!

(Kenny is shaking his head as he forces himself to look even closer, now inches away from Dopesmoker’s chest.)

Kenny Lombardo
...okay, there’s a cannabis leaf on the astronauts shoulder.

(Upon noticing this, the Goat Bastard of professional wrestling suddenly breaks down in a fit of laughter, having to collapse upon the reporter just to remain standing.)

Dopesmoker
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I KNOW! ISN’T IT AWESOME?!

Kenny Lombardo
How, uh... how tongue and cheek of them.

(Dopesmoker suddenly straightens up as if a switch went off in his head. He crosses his arms and looks ready to cut to the chase.)

Dopesmoker
Okay, EXCUSE ME, Ken... I just had to get that out there. Let’s get this rollin’...

Kenny Lombardo
Thanks. Let’s just begin by going back to Miami at the most recent Aggression, and your impressive win over the high-flying superstar, Otaku.

Dopesmoker
Oh, never mind the win, Kenny. Three measly seconds shouldn’t overshadow the mind-blowing AWESOMENESS of the entire match, bell to bell! There was no drama... no ego involved at all... just two men showing each other what they got, and the fans being the lucky witnesses to that amazing and brief meeting of two cosmic bodies. Otaku’s gotta be one of the most underrated talents I’ve seen in this sport in a long time, and he really showed me some MIND-ALTERING SHIT back in the ring in Miami.

In the end, yes... it was the DOPESMOKER who was there in the right time and the right place. I “won” in black and white terms, but if you ask me, Kenny, there wasn’t a way either of us could really lose. It could have just as easily gone the other way. But as it was, the Cosmos was looking out for me on that night.

Kenny Lombardo
True... it really could have gone either way, and I agree that Otaku is extremely talented... but a win’s a win, right? That’s a step up in the ladder.

Dopesmoker
Right... I get the “win”, so I move up “the ladder.” I kinda feel guilty, though... cause I can’t say I wanted this. I mean, it just... HAPPENED.

Kenny Lombardo
Well, whether you wanted it or not, I guess it’s your choice as to how to deal with it. With Miami behind you now, Aggression 59 is on the horizon... and just beyond that, WRESTLEVERSE, the greatest wrestling event in sports entertainment to date! You, Dopesmoker, have the chance to follow up your victory with a great opportunity, earning a shot at the Intercontinental Champion, Michael Bastard...

(Dopesmoker’s eyebrows comically fold in Marlo Brando fashion.)

Dopesmoker
Opportunity, Kenny? Sure... but I’ve been down that road before.

Some time back, the CHRONIC COLLIZION!! had a chance to reclaim the EPW Tag Team Title from the Forsaken... but we didn’t quite get there.

Then I had the chance to claim my first real prize as a singles competitor in the EPW TV Title... but I never did quite get over the hump of “New School” Layne Winters.

Then there was just last year in Kansas City, when I took on the World Heavyweight Champion, The First, for the belt in the semifinal round of the King of the Cage tournament... unexpectedly cut short by a visit from the DEA.

Sure... some might say it hasn’t been a very impressive track record when it comes to great opportunities, like the one I have on my plate now. Some might look at it and just say I’m a Type A choke artist... just a stupid stoner with no business even stepping through the ropes.

And still, others might say I COULD have won if I’d just pushed myself a little more, or if I were just a little less content with where I am in this industry. But tell me... where are all those guys now, Kenny? Where did those belts ultimately get them? Where’s The First? Where’s Layne Winters? Where’s half of freakin’ Anthology?

Kenny Lombardo
Beats me... they all left.

Dopesmoker
Exactly, bro.

But me? I’m still here, kicking it with the best. Despite all those lost opportunities, I haven’t lost my game... and the fans haven’t lost their faith in me. Did I really need an strap of leather and gold to get to where I am? I don’t think so. I mean, if history has proven anything, opportunities come and opportunities go... but only the DOPESMOKER remains constant!

Kenny Lombardo
I suppose you have a point. Although something to consider now is that this time around, you’ll need to overcome the hot young talent taking Empire Pro by storm as of late, IMPULSE!

Dopesmoker
Yup.

Kenny Lombardo
Impulse, of course, was your lethal lottery tag partner in the last King of the Cage tournament. We all remember the dissension and inevitable collapse of that team... and now some are wondering if there might be a bit of animosity involved in this meeting.

Dopesmoker
You’re DAMN RIGHT, there is!

Kenny Lombardo
REALLY?

Dopesmoker
YUP!

Kenny Lombardo
Care to elaborate?

Dopesmoker
I could do that, Kenny... but I’d rather you let me say something to the scumbag personally.

Kenny Lombardo
Oh, uh... go right ahead.

(Kenny holds up the mic as Dopesmoker sets himself in front of the camera and looks right into it.)

Dopesmoker
Alright... LISTEN UP... ANDREW GARDELL!!

Kenny Lombardo
...wait, WHAT?!

(The Escape Artist plucks the mic out of his hand before the reporter can interject.)

Dopesmoker
Yeah, that’s right, Andy-Boy! I haven’t forgotten what happened back in Kansas City last year! I haven’t forgotten how you just let all those DEA agents WALTZ right into the cage and RUIN the World Heavyweight Title contest that could have been the crowning moment of my wrestling career!

I had a chance to see the IN-DEPTH line-up to Aggression 59... and wouldn’t you know it? Somebody scheduled YOU to act as referee for this match! But I KNOW you can’t be trusted, Gardell! Just remember... there won’t be a CAGE separating us this time around! You try to do something the fuck me over, and I will SMOKE YOU, zebra!

(A curt nod marks the end of his rant as he hands the mic back to Kenny, who wasn’t expecting that in the least.)

Kenny Lombardo
Okay... strong words for, uh, Empire Pro ring official, Andrew Gardell. What about your opponent though?

Dopesmoker
OH, uh... who’s that again?

Kenny Lombardo
IMPULSE!! Don’t you have history with him?

Dopesmoker
Pfft... that’s news to me. I mean, yeah, we tagged a couple times... but he ended up weighing down the fast feet of the Escape Artist, and we parted ways. Simple as that. Didn’t go very far, but whatever, man.

Kenny Lombardo
Wow... I thought after the last time we spoke, there was a bit of resentment on your end, perhaps alluding that Impulse’s straight-edge approach was hurting your credibility with the fans.

Dopesmoker
Meh... well if there’s one thing I learned from doing the dance with Otaku, it’s that we’ve all got our own individual way of doings things... and I’m cool with that. Different methods creates unique results. Happened with Otaku, and I’m sure it could happen again with this new kid.

Impulse is supposed to be some kind of human professional wrestling encyclopedia. Me? I’m an innovative and insane wrestling scientist... an experimenter and extremist in the same package. What do you get when you put the two together in the ring, Kenny? Two cosmic bodies on a COLLIZION course... you can’t predict what will happen, but one thing you do know is that the explosion will be friggin’ BAD-ASS!

Kenny Lombardo
No doubt about that.

Dopesmoker
Forget about all of that King of the Cage foolishness. All that matters now is who moves on to take on that Bastard of an Intercontinental Champion.

Kenny Lombardo
So... who’s it gonna be? Will it be YOU?

Dopesmoker
Can’t say, Kenny. The Cosmos works in mysterious ways, and I submit myself to the notion that anything can happen. I live by that philosophy for a very solid reason. I mean, I could eat my vitamins, say my prayers, and try my damnedest... but it doesn’t guarantee anything, does it?

Kenny Lombardo
I guess not... but, give us some examples? What COULD happen?

Dopesmoker
Any number of possible scenarios...

In one, I strike Impulse BLIND with my amazing and breath-taking aerial assault, leaving him so dumb-founded and shattered that all he can do is flop around on the mat until I pin him and put him out of his misery.

In a different and still just as possible situation, I could walk into that ring so damn high I can barely walk straight, and he could just mop the floor with my ass until I finally tap and end it.

Or, still, the two of us could go off into some epic wrestling battle. The two of us could put on an hour-long clinic where the momentum shifts every waking moment, and we don’t let ourselves give up an inch. Then, in the final moments, one of us will make a mistake... the other will capitalize... and that will be it.

Kenny Lombardo
Hypothetically, then, what would set you over Impulse in this contest? He’s made it no secret that he is ready to capitalize on this opportunity and make a name for himself this early in his Empire Pro career. Do you really expect you’ll be able to compete against that kind of conviction?

Dopesmoker
The kid’s got drive, sure... but you know what I have, Kenny?

Kenny Lombardo
What’s that?

Dopesmoker
DARING!

Kenny Lombardo
How do you mean?

Dopesmoker
I have a different kind of drive, Kenny. I have the drive not to succeed... but to do things and think in ways that nobody else will, Kenny. I cross the lines... I hop the fences... I think outside the box. It doesn’t always seem sane or logical... but you know what? It hasn’t failed me yet.

Impulse is set in his ways, and I can respect that... but still, as we all remember, he willingly chose not follow me over that cage wall. That right there tells me that there will always be limitations in that young man’s mind. There will always been certain places he won’t be willing to go... places where I would go WILLINGLY.

He wants it... but how badly? How much is he willing to sacrifice in himself to get there?

Kenny Lombardo
Unfortunately, I can’t answer that for him, Dopesmoker... but I’m sure we’ll come to find out once the two of you enter that ring at Aggression 59. Regardless of how it shapes out, I’m sure it will be an interesting match.

Dopesmoker
Damn straight, bro! If you don’t mind, though... I gotta toke up before I go have a laugh with my girlfriend dying of cancer.

Kenny Lombardo
Uh, okay... I guess I’ll talk to you later.

(Lombardo exits the room as the camera catches a final shot of Dopesmoker snatching up his bong and getting it ready for one of its regular rituals. On this, we fade to black.)
 
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User Poets

The Shadow Pope
Joined
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Freedom

No frills or extras. Ready: go.

I can count Erik Black's style with a bingo card at this point: Kenny Lombardo, dramatic entrance, drug - induced non sequitors, veiled, presumably clever potshots at an opponent's private moments.

I'd look closer, but I'd probably cough on his unintended shotgunning.

Seriously: if you were any more passive aggressive I'd swear you had a day job accidentally dropping calls as a telemarketer.

But that's your issue, Erik. You appear to be happy and content smoking your bud, wrestling to the point of immortality, and pleasing your fans for the exposure. Like Chris Rock said, years and years and years ago when he said that the new Black leader should be Pat Riley - 'he may not get us to the mountaintop, but he'll get us to the Playoffs.' That certainly seems to describe the majority of your career, sir - an endless cycle of almost getting there.

Now, I take full responsibility for the most recent attempt at being within spitting distance of gold, but like I've said time and again, I regret nothing.

There's no guarantees about this match, Erik - like any other match - and that's the way I like it. All I've ever been able to control is what I can do in the ring. Against the Colossals, that was enough. Against the Heirs of Wrestling, and Stalker, and Steven Shane, it wasn't.

Against Copycat... that was a different set of rules. That was me trying to prove a point.

Against you, Erik... we're back to the same old song 'n dance. And we're back to me, actually working hard to win the match.

I know you work for your wins too, Erik - but there's a very marked difference here. And no, it's not that I won't do certain things to win matches.

It's that I'm free, and you are not.

You're the Dopesmoker. It's you're professional name, it's your identity, it's what your fans get behind. However, contrary to what you profess - it's you, not me, that has limits on what you're willing to do.

Will I swing a chair? Will I stick a thumb in your eye? No.

Because I don't have to.

That's what separates me from every other wrestler that has ever stepped into the ring, save Evan Aho.

Would you be willing to give up your dope smoking for a chance at the Empire's Intercontinental Championship? Would you be willing to sacrifice your identity for the sake of immortality?

Of course not.

I would.

That's why Calico Rose has not been in my corner so far in the Empire. That's why my sole interest to date in this company has been what happens in the ring.

You continually reference your fans; you care about their opinion.

You're held back by how you are perceived by the rest of the wrestling business. This fear keeps you locked into a familiar pattern that anyone with ten minutes of psychological awareness can bleed right through.

Don't blame me for the simplicity of your logic; I didn't come up with it.

At the end of the day, Dopesmoker - you can be as hipster as you want. You can be as defensive as you want with as many flippant remarks aimed at me as you can think of in your limited brain power... but none of that will save you from the mediocrity that permeates your life.

You will not outlast me. I know this because I know my own limitations.

And you will not intimidate my backup, the people that are defending my outposts even as we speak.

One more thing, Erik. Friends of mine have been attacking - slash - deconstructing your promo ever since you unleashed it on the world. Everything you say is on the verge of collapse, but if you're willing - slash -able to remove Calico Rose from your commentary, I can conveniently forget that you're an arrogant - without - basis coward who relies on the restraint of others to attempt to sound threatening.

But if you continue to reference people in my life without bearing on this match, Erik... first I'm going to permanently cripple you, then I'm going to end your career.

And I don't say things unless I mean them.
 

User Poets

The Shadow Pope
Joined
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Reboot

"Crippled, RK?" asked Rosie, laughing.

Well...

"Career ended?" she continued, "Sure, you'd snap something on a whim and spend the next thirty years of your life racked with guilt and you'd be a real drag to have around."
Okay, okay, I said, So I got a little carried away. I'm just tired of having to defend you, our friends, and the rest of the tribe to this business for no reason. Sure, Erik Black's not threatening, he's just making fun, but ever since Castor...

We were staying in tonight; our plan was to sleep through the Rapture and go looting first thing Monday morning, and in the meantime, were catching up on the Empire's goings - on in between our Roald Dahl movie marathon.

"Yes, Castor attacked me," said Rose, "Once. And Spike would've if he'd been able to catch me, but you can't base everything that happens on two incidents. Plus, and you know I love you, but I can defend myself if need be."

She was right, of course, but that doesn't change the fact that I felt it was my responsibility to defend her: I'm the reason she's involved in this business at all, even on the outskirts like she is.*

It's just one of those things, I said, that sets me off.

"Ever since Fizz," said Rosie.

I nodded. Eight years after the fact, it was still a sore subject.

"Just calm down," said Rosie, "keep your cool and remember who you are and what you do."


Who am I and what do I do?

(Don't make an Arnold joke don't make an Arnold joke don't make an Arnold joke don't make an Arnold joke...)

"I think I owe you an apology, Dopesmoker. I lost my head in my last promo and got a little angry. It's only happened a few times in my life, and never quite that eruptive."

Particularly considering you didn't actually do anything. Poor attempts at comedy are hardly grounds to crucify an opponent.

"But a slight - any slight - against someone I'm close to prompts a fairly visceral reaction from me, whether you're serious or just failing at being funny."

Get ready to mute the screen, Dopesmoker. History time!

"Almost eight years ago, I was in the midst of the summer before my senior year of high school. I was also working out and training to be a professional wrestler, and averaged about three, four matches a month in the gym, in front of anywhere from six to a hundred people. It was one night in particular, in August of 2003, that I wrestled what could technically be referred to as my first main event match."

Deep breath.

"And I was in it because Eli Flair's scheduled opponent, my best friend and primary trainer, Johnny Fizzbin, was shot in the head four days earler."

"And that night, some idiots opened fire toward the ring from the crowd, and more people died."

To say nothing of the fact that I was one day removed from the cage blowing up during War Games in the Ultratitle's All - Star week, and two hours removed from a fire and explosion at Madison Square Garden before the year was out. Nobody died during All Star week, but plenty did at Countdown to Oblivion.

I was seventeen.

"There's no rhyme or reason, Dopesmoker - in every circumstance I left the ring and the arena without a scratch on me beyond general ring fatigue. But those six months - easily the worst time in my life since my dad left - taught me a very valuble life lesson: defend the people who matter the most."

"And I do."

You can start listening again, Dopesmoker, it's all about you once more.

"But regardless of overreaction and justification, I'm still confused. Ever since the second time we teamed, Erik Black has seemed to be trying to manufacture dissent between us. I don't know if he's just too cool for school or doesn't think we can have a great match without real hatred, but I don't even mildly dislike the Dopesmoker."

Well, let me clarify. I don't even mildly dislike Erik Black. I think he could've done a lot better than 'dopesmoker' when it came to picking a wrestling name.

"Even your last conversation with Kenny Lombardo... you said there's no resentment."

Passive aggressively.

"But I can see it. Have you spent so long convincing yourself, that you actually believe it?"

"Are we going to have an epic, game - changing battle, Erik? I hope so. I would love for this match to steal the show."

Again.

"It's a shame that the ultimate outcome is that only one of us moves on to something bigger."

It's going to be me.

"It could be either one of us."

Because you're blinded by your perceptions.

"And whoever it is, Michael Bastard is in trouble."

He's going to lose his title.

"SO... no hard feelings?"

"Erik."

"Much better," said Rosie, "Less anger, more humor."

I try.

"You wanna go down to TC's later," she asked, "After the raptured are all gone? It shouldn't be too busy."

Right, I said. Like anyone at Coop's is getting saved this weekend. Besides, it's supposed to keep raining, and I know the dampness in the air really messes with your lungs.

She leaned against my chest and I put an arm around her.

"I've been dealing with my stupid lungs since I was four," said Rosie, "a bit of rain isn't going to push me into an asthma attack."

She had a point.

Rapture was coming... apparently.

In the immortal words of Ford Prefect? Six pints of bitter. And quickly, please, the world's about to end.

Sounds good to me.

Besides, I'm ready for anything.

I know where my towel is.
 

About FWrestling

FWrestling.com was founded in 1994 to promote a community of fantasy wrestling fans and leagues. Since then, we've hosted dozens of leagues and special events, and thousands of users. Come join and prove you're "Even Better Than The Real Thing."

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If you want to help grow the community of fantasy wrestling creators, consider hosting your league here on FW. You gain access to message boards, Discord, your own web space and the ability to post pages here on FW. To discuss, message "Chad" here on FW Central.

What Is FW?

Take a look at some old articles that are still relevant regarding what fantasy wrestling is and where it came from.
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