Re: UNLEASHED 2010: IC TITLE MATCH: "The Phenom" Shawn Hart (c) vs. Michael Bastard
"How a propos..."
The scene is an empty warehouse. A single floodlight shining down on The Amazing Logan standing in front of his charge, Michael Bastard.
TAL: ...that Michael's first taste of gold will come at an event called Unleashed. Yes, I think it's very appropriate given many have described his presence in the Empire as being "unleashed". In a way, those pundits are right. Michael has seemed like a rabid dog, charging down the street at whatever has caught its attention without any regard, but at the same time, well, perceptions I guess are reality. Even muzzled, Michael has been a picture of fury that is the subject of hyperbole. However, I really haven't had the need to truly turn the safety off. That is, until now.
Shawn Hart, a man respected around these parts as a Champion, a man whose whacky demeanor belies his abilities in the ring to the dullards of the world, you have given me a reason to unleash hell. Before now, Michael and I have had no reason to get personal with our potential conquests. To us, you were just an unwitting mark, a man who had trouble with injuries and was waiting for someone to pluck the belt from him. Did I expect you to continue to sit on the sidelines? No, I'm not like every other bombastic making air quotes bad guy around here who thinks his fecal matter smells of fresh-roasted New Orleans coffee with chicory or something else of that stature. I know that when you came to play, you would bring everything you had. I've seen it from a close perspective before. However, instead of announcing your return in more honorable ways, you had to come down and not only cost Michael a match but attack him afterwards? Now that's just dirty pool. I mean, I thought you were still woozy from the layoff, but this act of cowardice seals it for me. You're scared, and you had to provoke a man that shouldn't be provoked unless you don't fear death. Maybe you don't, but then again, this would be a fitting swan song. More on that later, though.
You see, Phenom, Michael doesn't like being attacked in an unfair manner such as what you did. I know, I know, it's all part of the game, and though we deal with it, that doesn't mean we like it. So yeah, to say you've pissed him off is an understatement. No one has really ever seen Michael truly pissed off around here... except for me. It was a pretty macabre scene. Blood everywhere, windows shattered, floorboards ripped up. The hospital bill that emerged from the ordeal, one that I had to pay to avoid litigation, was in five figures. If you think I'm kidding around, well, I don't know what to say other than you'll find out firsthand. And it will be spectacular in the violence that is borne from Michael's bloodlust. It will be like in the olden days, when kings used to put the heads of fallen enemies on pikes and place them around their lands as a warning to people not to cross their paths. That's what this beating will be, a warning.
See Shawn, your career won't end on such a downer. You'll be remembered as a reminder not to cross Michael Bastard, not to make things personal. A sort of PSA for fairplay, so to speak. A harbinger of a future where men man up all the time instead of relying on cheap mindgames to try and get an advantage. And of course, it'll be remembered as the event that the Empire was witness to the first of many Championships for Michael Bastard. Yes it's time...
MB: ...to be WELCOMED TO THE FREAKSHOW!
Logan smacks the camera with his cane as it goes to static.