brusch
Main Event Caliber
RED LINE WRESTLING
in conjunction with DePaul University
PRESENTS…
SLAMTRACK 6
Streaming LIVE from the SULLIVAN ATHLETIC CENTER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
in conjunction with DePaul University
PRESENTS…
SLAMTRACK 6
Streaming LIVE from the SULLIVAN ATHLETIC CENTER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
[900-ish fans pack the Sullivan Athletic Center – certainly down from the RUSH HOUR numbers, but what else can you expect on the show AFTER the biggest show of your year? DANNY DALTON is at the announce table, arms agape, soaking in the uproarious cheers of the crowd while wearing a bizarre Space Quest IV shirt. He sits alone at ringside, headbanging like the wild child he is to the janky 8-bit tunes of the RLW theme song.]
DD: “WELCOME TO SLAMTRACK! My name is Danny Dalton, and we are fresh off the BIGGEST and most IMPORTANT SHOW in the history of Red Line Wrestling. So many things happened, you guys…first of all, THE LAST TITAN, Ivan Dalkichev, won the inaugural Red Crown Tournament and is the first-ever champion of RLW. At the end of the night, we’ve been told that there will be an Inauguration Ceremony for Dalkichev, and boy oh boy – fireworks seem INEVITABLE, especially if Nathan Fear has something to say. Plus, we have a new #1 Contender to the championship – The Second Coming! My girl, YOUR girl, the collective hopes and dreams of a federation – we’ll see what she has to say when faced with a Russian hulking behemoth roughly three times her size. But folks, this is SLAMTRACK, and here’s what you should be SUPER excited about – THE ROSTER IS GROWING ERREH DAY! We have SO MANY DEBUTS on this show, and y’all need to take note immediately because I suspect that a few of the new crew will be a big part of the future of RLW.
It looks like Arin McHenry is in the ring and rarin’ to go, so let’s get this show STARTED!”
[ARIN McHENRY’s haircut is slowly looking more appropriate, his goatee slowly working out, though his look is still a bit…off. He is suited up, as usual, in a bonanza of colors and patterns – his jacket and pants are matching red and pink stripes with a black shirt and a lime green tie. . Friendly RLW senior referee Ross Russell stands by at the ready.]
AM: “thhhhhhhhHHHHHHHIS MATCH, IS SET FOR ONE FALLLLLLLL!”
‘the nightmare’ NIC ALLEN v. EL CABRÓN
[NIC ALLEN has a noted lack of strut or posing as he makes his way through the curtain – all business. Not built like a prototypical wrestler, he seems to make an entrance unlike a prototypical wrestler – not hyping up the crowd, also not heeling out the crowd. An everyman, a strong man, punching his clock and doing his job without any acknowledgement of his surroundings. The crowd is not a fan of this.]
AM: “INTRODUCING FIRST…weighing innnnnnnn at 260 POUNDS! THEEEEE NIGHTMARRRRRE………..NIC! ALLENNNNNNNNNNNNN!”
DD: “This is a guy who went incredibly dark in a moment during RUSH HOUR, sending a message of pain and destruction and fear. He’s about to face his first real test here in RLW to see how much of this is bark and how much is bite.”
[Monstrous riffs of Chicago DOOM belch from the PA as El Cabrón comes twirling through the curtain… stops… glances briefly over his shoulder in bewilderment once he realizes he’s facing the curtain with his back to the audience… spins around the right way and makes his way to the ring. Walks slow, at the pace of a Deadman’s funeral march, but with a slight juke in time to the music. Plays up being the usual nasty bastard he’s known to be, but can’t help to return a high-five from any hipster that knows he’s too cool for school.]
AM: “AAAAND HIS OPPONENT! From INDIANAPOLIS, INNNNNNDIANAAAAAAAAA…..weighing innnnn at 224 pounds! THE ESCAPE ARTIST! ELLLLLLLLLLLLL CABRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOON!”
[Arin’s inability to roll his R’s is once again thrust into the limelight.]
DD: “I don’t understand why THIS GUY hasn’t been given the proper fanfare here in RLW – he’s an independent wrestling LEGEND, a man who’s probably been everywhere where wrestling is important, and someway somehow we GOT HIM. This is a place where EVERYONE is looking to make a name for themselves, and we’ll see who – well here we go! The ref is ready to roll with the match!
[DING DING!]
[Nic Allen, clearly the heavier of the two, stands in the center of the ring with a wide grin, opening his arms wide and beckoning Cabron to make the first move. Cabron obliges, charging forward with a clubbing forearm strike which Allen absorbs and responds with a big clubbing forearm of his own, which staggers Cabron a bit. Cabron charges forward again with another shot, another big reply by Allen, which leads to a rapid fire back-and-forth sequence and ends with Allen taking final advantage, backing Cabron into the ropes. An Irish Whip sends Cabron bouncing back, and Allen splats Cabron IMMEDIATELY with a pop-up powerbomb, which draws “OOOOOOH”s from the crowd.]
DD: “HOLY moley…an early HUGE move from Allen, and here’s the cover – NO! The Escape Artists slips out, and he’s – on his feet?? That’s a move that would put down a lot of folks early, and – OOOH, stiff karate kick to the knee, and ANOTHER kick, and ANOTHER! He’s stomping a judo mudhole into Allen now, and the ref is trying to call him back – he finally does at the count of four, ISH. Oh, that’s lovely – Cabron is holding up five fingers to the referee now, pointing at each one individually…thanks for cheering that, hipsters!”
[Cabron walks over to Allen and very casually grinds his heel into Allen’s left hand, causing some loud yells from both Allen and the referee. Another 5 count by the ref, another release at four and a half and a smile. Cabron runs to the ropes and hits a basement dropkick on Allen, sending him out of the ring. After a casual and bastardy taunt-walk to the outside, Cabron goes to throw more kicks at his opponent, only for Allen to roar back, driving his shoulder into Cabron’s gut and charging Cabron back-first into the ring apron. A stiff knife edge chop later, and Allen opts to roll Cabron into the ring.]
DD: “Back and forth we go here, folks – the power of the rookie Allen, the deviousness and experience of El Cabron, this could go either way here…look at this! Nic Allen has set up a Bear Hug on his masked opponent! This could mean trouble here – he’s got that hold wrenched in DEEPLY! El Cabron is fighting it, he’s resisting the urge to tap, but man, it looks like he’s fading to me, folks…Referee Ross Russell is going for the hand to see if he’s out!
One drop!
….TWO!”
[As Russell goes for the third arm drop, El Cabron simultaneously smushes his hand into the referee’s face and knees Nic Allen in the groin, breaking the hold. He follows it up with a mule kick into Allen’s gut, followed by a roundhouse kick to the gut, followed by a spinning heel kick – the hipster section crowd starts up a chant of “WHIRLING DERVISH” clap clap clap-clap-clap, which Cabron responds to with double birds, drawing all the boos. He stands Allen up, and…]
DD: “The Satyr Slice! What a move by the Goat – well, the Goat Jerk – and it’s gotta be fundamental by now. Three count!”
[DING DING DING!]
DD: “We can bet this won’t be the last we see of Nic Allen – he’s got that explosive power that almost ended this thing right away! Too many tricks up the sleeve of the Escape Artist tonight.
Coming up next folks, we’ve got our final debut of the night coming up, and it LOOKS like our group of hardcore kick butt women is gaining a new member!”
AM: “The following match, boys and girls, IS A ONE FALLER!”
EMEVLAS STASTIAS v. SKYLAR MONTGOMERY
[SKYLAR MONTGOMERY emerges from the curtain with a lit cigarette in his mouth – and also a steel chair. He makes his way to the ring, occasionally pointing a hand to his head like a revolver blowing his brains out.]
AM: “Introducing FIRST! Frommmm LONDON ENGLAND! He’s two pounds shy of 200…SUICIDAL! SKYLAAAAAAAR MONTGOMREHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
DD: “I know I said this on RUSH HOUR, and maybe that was a little harsh and unprofessional of me and I apologize, but THIS FREAKING GUY. If you’ll remember folks, he was slated to have a match with Bryan Rodgers to see who can make the next step forward in RLW, and it resulted in about as painful a moment as I’ve ever witnessed. The match BASICALLY didn’t even HAPPEN – both men came out of the gate swinging chairs at each other for SOME ungodly reason, and they both ended up cracking each other in the skull at the same time. It’s a wonder SkyMont is even out here – is he medically cleared? Did they run those concussion tests, guys? Does anyone have the answer on this? I don’t want to be held liable if something bad happens, because we’ve got someone tonight who-“
[As if on-cue, a low-key but still impressive pyro bomb-drop falls by the entrance as the song says "Yeah. We're coming down!" The song starts up and a tall, slender redhead appears through the curtain position. She walks down the ramp, completely ignoring any and all fan reaction, which quickly gains the adulation of some and the anger of others. She jumps over the rope to get in. As soon as the chorus shouts "GET THE TABLES," she does the same. And there we are.]
AM: “AAAAAND HIS OPPONENT! Frommmmmmm JOLIET, ILLINOIS! Weighing in at 126 pounds! THE JOLIET NIGHTMARE! ……..
[Arin takes a moment to try to read his prepared card correctly. Emphasis on try.]
EMMMMMMMMEVELALES STAAAAAAASASTIAS!”
DD: “WHEN DID WE GET PYRO?? And Arin, for Pete’s sake…sorry everyone at home, that’s EMEVLAS STASTIAS, a VERY WELL KNOWN COMPETITOR IN THESE PARTS, ARIN, AND YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SAY HER NAME RIGHT. This is Mevy, y’all, and she doesn’t mess around. Her reputation can be summed up succinctly – tables. ALWAYS tables. I spoke to her backstage earlier today, and she made it pretty clear to me that if splinters aren’t in her opponent’s back at the end of the night, regardless of the rest of the match, she’ll feel like she hasn’t done her job. I just hope DePaul doesn’t mind the lumber bill she’ll inevitably rack up..”
[DING DING]
DD: “There’s the bell, referee Jen Glass with the call, and – YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!! Stastias just hit a Jumping Cutter right off the bat! Are you serious??
1!
2!
3!! WHAT?!
[DING DING DING!]
[Arin hasn’t even gotten to his usual ringside chair yet, and Danny is signaling wildly for Arin to get back on the microphone.]
AM: “Er, uh…the winner is…Mevy, is that it? MEVYYYYYY STAAAAASTIAAAAAAS!”
DD: “Something HAS to be wrong with SkyMont, folks – that was the shortest and most definitive match I think we’ve ever SEEN in Red Line Wrestling! And oh boy, here we go – Mevy is already going for SOMETHING out from under the ring, I think there’s no question on what it could be…”
[Mevy quickly and efficiently sets up a brown wooden table on the outside of the ring. Jen Glass, feeling like she’s barely gotten to do anything, is shouting as loudly as she can to get Mevy to stop while simultaneously checking on the still-on-the-ground SkyMont. Jen starts to signal for help from the back, when she’s suddenly SHOVED off SkyMont by Mevy. Mevy grabs SkyMont by the head and drags him to the ropes near the table, and with a surprising amount of strength and dexterity DEADLIFTS SkyMont over her head, tossing him HARD into the now-destroyed table.]
DD: “A preview of things to come in the future of RLW? I really don’t think you can make any more of an impact statement than what Mevy Stastias just did.
While they get this area cleaned up before our final match of the night, I want to talk for a minute about what’s happening at the very end of the show…APPARENTLY, Nathan Fear has taken it upon himself to schedule an incredibly lengthy and elaborate coronation ceremony for the first-ever Red Crown Champion, The Crimson Colossus, Ivan Dalkichev. On the one hand – no doubt, it’s the biggest win and the biggest match our young company has had to date, but coming from a man like FEAR? You just KNOW there’s going to be trouble. I’m still a believer that Russ Spackler had a REALLY great shot at the championship, Booger Monster or not, and then take into consideration that the Second Coming is now breathing down his proverbial neck – maybe this coronation ceremony is Fear’s chance to soak in the glory as much as he can before someone else takes the glory away? Who knows – all I can say, folks, is it’s going to be must-see internet television, and you aren’t going to want to miss it.
Alright, good, it looks like they’ve finally gotten SkyMont out of here, poor guy – Mevy wasn’t lying about those splinters. We’ll see the Suicidal One again, I’m sure. In the meantime, we’ve got a great main event, folks – two of the rising RLW stars, two competitors who could VERY EASILY be in the title hunt very very soon. Let’s get it rolling!”
GO-GO SPECTACULAR v. yoshikazu YAZ
[Flanked on either side by Roger Stevens and Paco Losantio, Yoshikazu YAZ power-walks his way to the ring, all unflinching business. He completely ignores the crowd, while both Stevens and Losantio give mean side-eyed glances, especially in response to the crowd chanting JOHNNY DORN! JOHNNY DORN! JOHNNY DORN! JOHNNY DORN!]
AM: “Introducing FIRST! Frommmm NAGASAKI, JAPAN! Weighing in at 210 POUNDS! Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyoshikazu, YAZ!”
DD: “I don’t know how in the world J-MAX fell to the rag tag Hashtag Bros at RUSH HOUR, but these guys look PISSED about it! This whole group, YAZ in particular – they’re clinical, surgical, efficient and on top of their games just about every time they go out there. You can BET that YAZ won’t get caught off guard twice – but the thing is, he’s got a VERY talented, VERY popular opponent standing across from him tonight, and it’s another star looking to get things back on track after RUSH HOUR disappointment.”
[The crowd cheers their heads off, and chants of LET’S GO GO-GO erupt, some fans skipping the “LET’S” portion and simply chanting GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO. Go-Go high fives a bunch of fans, particularly the kids in attendance, before entering the ring and posing on all four corners.]
AM: “Annnnnd his opponent! FROM EL PASO, TEXAS! Weighing in at 135 pounds….LATINA FIRE! GO-GOOOOOOO SPECTACULARRRRRRRRR!”
[Arin may never learn to roll those R’s correctly.]
DD: “This looks to be a really even match on paper, y’all – though maybe the edge in experience goes to YAZ? Then again, if you could bottle up the energy that a red-hot crowd chanting your name gives you and sell it on the street, you’d be…just like, SO rich. And Go-Go’s got that on her side right now!”
[The bell rings and both competitors quickly circle around each other before the collar-and-elbow tie up. Rear waistlock by Go-Go, reversed by YAZ, reversed by Go-Go – elbows and kicks and flash pins ducked and juked and countered in rapid succession by both competitors before they separate to the appreciative applause of the crowd. They lock up once more, this time YAZ opting to go with strikes quickly and early, staggering Go-Go. He whips her into the ropes and goes for a dropkick, but Go-Go holds onto the ropes and YAZ crashes to the ground. She goes for a quick cover, which is kicked out at one and a half.]
DD: “Very quick action back and forth, folks, lots of technical skill on display by both competitors. It’s clear how much this win could mean – a win here, you’re back in the hunt, you’re climbing that mountain where Ivan Dalkichev sits on top of the RLW world. Go-Go with a big hurricanrana, and YAZ just went flying! Looking to follow it up with a basement dropkick – NO! YAZ rolls out of the way and goes for a cover on Go-Go – kickout at one! YAZ with FIERCE strikes to the head now, bam! Bam! Bam! Steps back – jumping knee to the throat of Go-Go, oh my! Here’s the coverrrrr aaaaand no! Go-Go escapes! She’s rolling out of the ring now, looks like she needs a breather!”
[YAZ follows her quickly to the outside and rams her head into the ring apron. Go-Go stumbles a bit more as Yaz spins her around and hits a Roaring Elbow strike that floors the luchador. YAZ rolls back into the ring and referee Ross Russell starts the ten count…at around 7, Go-Go rolls into the ring, and YAZ goes for the flash pin – Go-Go counters into a small package! – and YAZ escapes at two. Both competitors separate and YAZ goes for another Roaring Elbow strike, which is countered by a sweeping leg kick that sends YAZ crashing in a spinning heap to the ground. She immediately jumps on top of him and goes for a crossface submission maneuver! YAZ slowly crawls, using his size advantage to drag Go-Go with him, before finally reaching the ropes. Go-Go releases the hold and immediately climbs to the top rope, not giving YAZ a chance to breathe, and hits The NewSplash for a 2.9 count.]
DD: “Go-Go is feeding off the energy and intensity of the crowd, and it looks like she might have everything going her way here! She’s calling for him to stand up now…he’s wobbly on his legs, OH HE JUST WENT FOR THAT SPINNING HEEL KI- GO-GO DUCKS! SHE HITS THE BKE, THE BEST KICK EVER! YAZ is STUNNED – here goes Go-Go, SPRINGBOOOOOOOOOARD, E-F-5! E-F-5! It’s over! Here’s the cover!
1!
2!
3!!!”
[DING DING DING]
AM: “Theeeeee winner of this match…GO-GO! SPECTACULARRRRRRR!”
DD: “HUGE win! Huge STATEMENT win! I’ve said statement a lot – I don’t care. This is wrestling. Big wins is big wins. Yoshikazu YAZ is a BIG TIME performer, and Go-Go just got a clean win over the former DEFIANCE superstar! Now, before we get to our Coronation Ceremony, let’s take it elsewhere, as Barry has informed us there’s bonus video of YET ANOTHER new recruit to Red Line Wrestling on deck!”
[Light splashes from left to right with an accompanying sound effect.
A particular grain and flicker reminiscent of old 8mm film projection filters the blackness of the screen.
A flash of light; quickly makes a black masked face visible for a few frames.
The image skews slightly to the right, and then inverts. Returning to back to normal just before being overtaken once again by the flickering blackness.
“Causa Perdida” flashes in the frame, glitches, flips vertically and stutters between the original and “Lost Cause,” with a bit of a twitch. Fade to Black.
The opening riffs to Green River’s “Swallow My Pride” begins and the screen fades to a dark arena, populated with a masked figure, in with a black mat, black turnbuckles … and ropes.
The masked man contorts his neck from left to right as if to crack it while the camera edit punches in and out to the music. Cut back to black.
“Máscara Negro” flashes on the screen briefly and again the glitch and static effect converts it to the translation of “Black Mask.”]
V/O: “Every victory is empty…”
[As the voice over echoes; the screen returns to the masked man in the center of the black ring. Rubbing his taped hands together. The camera pushes in toward the subject and he slowly cocks his head to the right and bugs out his eyes.]
V/O: “This world is a lost cause.”
[Black. “Lost” flashes. “Cause” flashes. Static. Black.]
DD: “…Barry, how come you don’t put that much effort into MY video requests?? That was AWESOME, and you KNOW it’s awesome, and then…never mind.”
[The canvas has been covered in a large square sheet of velvety red fabric. Similarly, a red carpet extends from the curtain toward the apron. In the ring is a stepstool and a podium… upon which rests the official Red Line Wrestling RED CROWN. Standing next to it is ARIN MCHENRY, grimacing as he forces himself to make a dismal announcement…]
AM: “Ladies and gentlemen… the following event is the special coronation ceremony for the inaugural Red Crown Champion of Red Line Wrestling. At this time, I am obligated to ask that you please welcome the manager to the Red Crown Champion… MISTER NATHAN FEAR…”
[The fans immediately let out a prolonged “BOO!” at the announcement of Fear’s name, but it’s quickly choked to a gasp as all the lights in the Sullivan Athletic Center cut to BLACK…]
[The monstrously EPIC choral and orchestral opening blast through the PA as a rented spotlight perched in the corner of the seats flips on and illuminates the point of entry at the curtain. NATHAN FEAR emerges, a smile so sleek and evil on his narrow face . The crowd JEERS as loud as it can, and the man in the burgundy milks it for every moment… and as the musical piece moves into a quiet chant, he raises the mic in his hand to let himself be heard…]
NF: “People of Chicago… THANK YOU for being here tonight! Thank you for being present in this time and place, to witness one of the greatest moments in this sport’s history! The crowning of your first champion… and so much more than just that!”
[Fear takes a few steps down the aisle… and disappears into the dark as the spotlight doesn’t follow. Then jerks itself over in time to find the wrestling manager and business financier glaring angrily at the guy working it. The audience gets a chuckle -- mainly at Fear briefly losing his cool -- but he soon puts it behind him and keeps walking steadily to the ring, the light having no trouble following him this time.]
NF: “The few of you will one day be able to say that you were HERE when it all happened… when a LEGEND of the mat was born! Right here, in this tiny fieldhouse… at a show hosted by a tiny, insignificant indie federation that nobody will remember five years from now.”
[HEAVY jeers from the crowd, and a big smile from Fear. He glances briefly at something being carried in his other hand… so sheer it was hardly noticeable before. Thin and threadlike, like a piece of string and wire… steadily being dragged out from the darkness behind him. There’s no telling how long it trails on.]
NF: “Yes, I’m afraid it’s true… Red Line Wrestling is simply a small pond in a land of many lakes and seas. But your Red Crown Champion… the man I TRAINED and MOLDED into the mythic UBERMENSCH… he is more than just a big fish. He is the LEVIATHAN!”
[He sneers into the dark, into the fans he can’t see but can likely SMELL just the same…]
NF: “And you filthy people will give him the RESPECT he deserves tonight! He is the absolute standard bearer of excellence in this miserable little company… and you snarky, hipster punks should consider yourselves HONORED to be in the presence of one of this industry’s greatest rising talents!”
[Once he reaches the ring, he turns around, looking back up the aisle… intensely gazing as the black cable in his hands. Even with the fans cursing at him from the black, his sneer works itself into yet another smile… this one almost maniacal looking.]
NF: “But enough talk… let’s just go ahead and get this coronation underway.”
[The jeering has eased off into bewildered murmurs as Fear sets the mic onto the ring, pulls out a match, and lights it… the flame hovering over the string in his other hand. He sets the fire to the cord… the chanting over the PA gets LOUDER… and suddenly a flash of RED LIGHT illuminates Fear’s face as cord becomes inflamed! He drops it to the ground as the glowing red spark trails its way up the length of the fiber… and suddenly it dawns on everybody that a FUSE has been lit!]
NF: “Now RISE, you proles… RISE and WELCOME your RED CROWN CHAMPION!”
[The chanting gets LOUDER and MORE INTENSE as the lit fuse trails back up the aisle… leaving a literal RED LINE in it’s wake! It disappears through the curtain, and then…]
NF: “THE LAST TITAN”... IVVAAAAANNN DAAAALKKICHEEEEEEVVV!!!!!”
[KABOOOM!! The Sullivan Athletic Center is bathed in a flash of red light as CRIMSON PYROTECHNICS explode over the entry-way! Just as the music reaches the pinnacle of absolute orchestral EPICNESS, the curtain ripples aside, and the seven-foot tall RAGING RUSSIAN strides into the arena. Angry eyes as blue as SIBERIAN ICE scan the rows of seats, where what fans that haven’t been left reeling from the flash-bang effect of the special effects are continuing to boo, loud as ever to overcome the overture blaring through the PA.]
DD: “WHOA!! THE FOR-REAL FIREWORKS!! I guess we're doing it - Red Line Wrestling has taken a HUGE step up here tonight going full-on pyro… although it wouldn’t surprise me if Nathan Fear absolutely insisted on giving his talent a reception fit for a champion tonight!”
[Ivan Dalkichev begins his march toward the ring, ignoring the hateful derision relentlessly poured on from the Red Line fans. The Red Crowd Championship Belt is clasped firmly around his waist, holding together the scarlet robe specially tailored to his mammoth frame. Fear is already standing in the ring, prying a ruby-lined CROWN out of Arin McHenry’s hands and shooing him from the ring.]
DD: “Red Line Wrestling’s inaugural Red Crown Champion, in his first public appearance since winning the title at the unforgettable RUSH HOUR event… and that belt around his waist just makes this giant of a man look all the more intimidating!”
[Dalkichev climbs directly onto the apron and steps over the full set of ropes to enter the ring. Once in, he pumps both arms in a towering victory pose, as Fear stands by beaming in pride. Many of the fans are still choking on the smoke from the earlier pyrotechnics. After Ivan slowly turns himself around in a complete circle to give every angle of the arena a glimpse of the Red Crown title around his waist, Fear looks his client in the eye as he raises the microphone again…]
NF: “Ivan, old friend… we’ve known each other for many years now. I’ve watched you evolve from being just an abnormally large man to the model of a SUPERIOR ATHLETE… the perfect combination of size, strength, skill, and killer instinct! Today you stand before me greater than you’ve been… and yet, both you and I know that this crown… this whole miserable federation… it’s just the first step toward greater heights!”
[The fans jeer at the dismissive remark, which causes Fear to turn to them once again beaming his evil grin.]
NF: “Oh yes… I know you people like to believe this place is a special little snowflake… that it will one day become something monumental… but you’re only deluding yourselves. This is just another dime-a-dozen indie league with a roster filled with garbage… freaks like the Marsupials of Mayhem… weaklings like Go-Go Spectacular… COWARDS the Second Coming… and whatever the hell that fool “Sci-Fi” Russ Spackler is supposed to be…”
[He shakes his head, turning up his nose in disgust.]
NF: “Honestly, did any of you really think that moron in the MUCOUS outfit could ever stand a chance against THIS?!”
[The fans continue to boo steadily through Fear’s speech, while Dalkichev stands with his arms crossed over his chest, coldly staring back into the seats.]
NF: “If you honestly did, then you’re as stupid as he was, thinking he could stop Ivan’s rise toward greatness. Because Ivan Dalkichev is MILES above the riff-raff this company offers as “talent”. Thankfully, the two of us won’t have to deal with it much longer… and I can PROMISE YOU ALL of that! I know it won’t be long before the big leagues start dialing my number, ready to offer professional wrestling’s next great talent a lucrative contract that will set him on the path to TRUE greatness!”
[He turns the crown in his hand around, admiring the quality of work and detail put into it… even if he does smile in a manner that it’s all meaningless to the both of them in the long run.]
NF: “But be as it may… RIGHT NOW, “The Last Titan” Ivan Dalkichev wears the crown in the city of Chicago… the RIGHTFUL king of Red Line Wrestling! And all those who cross his path will either bend the knee… or have that knee BROKEN!”
[He waves to Ivan to stand before the stepstool, and Dalkichev gets into position, standing with his back to the steps in a ready position. His expression is still cold and calculating… not anywhere close to the enthusiasm on Fear’s face. He moves like a large man going through the motions. Fear climbs up the steps and takes a moment to look across the seats of fans one more time with the crown cradled in his arm.]
NF: “Ladies and gentlemen of Chicago… and all the folks living elsewhere, watching this stream from home… I now present to you your new ruler… your ICON of greatness… IVAN the COLOSSAL, First Tsar of Red Crown Wrestling!”
[Fear pockets the mic, holds out the crown with both hands… and delicately sets it upon Ivan’s furrowed brow.]
[Once again, Tsar Ivan victoriously pumps his arms into the air as his music plays. Fear stays at the top of his stepstool, clapping proudly. A pair of black garbage bags hanging in the lights split open and drop a brief rain of red and black confetti. Red sparkling pyros shoot up from the ring posts.]
DD: “Nathan Fear has gone to every expense in an effort to making this the greatest moment in Red Line Wrestling’s history… but right now, he is the ONLY man in this arena clapping for “The Last Titan” Ivan Dalkichev, now the first “First Tsar” of RLW. Fear might think that Ivan’s run here is only a temporary one… but if you ask me, I think he’s forgetting that some of the fine and outstanding men and women back in that locker room will soon be gunning for that crown and title, and they won’t forget what was said here tonight!”
[Ivan continues pacing the ring, arms held high… Fear is milking the moment… then all at once, the MUSIC CUTS and the LIGHTS GO BLACK! A CHEER rises through the darkness, as the fans no longer have to sit through watching Fear and Dalkichev self-glorification.]
DD: “SPEAK OF THE DEVIL…”
DD: “RUSS SPACKLER’S MUSIC!! He’s here tonight!”
[The lights come up flickering and strobing. In the ring, Fear is running around in a panic, stubbing his leg as he blindly runs into the stool and cursing loudly. Dalkichev has turned himself toward the curtain, waiting for whoever might come out. For the first time since he emerged, the Red Crown’s Champion are WIDE OPEN and hungry for blood!]
NF: “What is this?! TURN THAT MUSIC OFF!! I told you idiots clearly… NOBODY interrupts this time! This is OUR TIME, DAMNIT!!”
[The crowd POPS WILDLY when it notices “SCI-FI” RUSS SPACKLER, innocuously disguised as a homeless man in the front row, shedding his disguise and spewing forth as the booger monstrosity he’s become, BEHIND where Ivan can see! In an instant, he climbs the steps and SPRINGS to the top rope as the lights come up the rest of the way. Dalkichev, sensing something amiss, slowly turns around…]
DD: “SPACKLER ON TOP… COMING OFF… MISSILE DROPKICK right into the champ’s FACE!!”
[The Red Crown HITS the canvas! Reeling in surprise, Ivan stumbles backward into the ropes, getting his arms tangled into the ropes! Fear runs at him furiously in an effort to stop this insult, but gets TOSSED to the ring with a quick hip toss when Spackler sees him coming! Russ unleashes the tormented roar only a snot monster could make as the fans cheer him on!]
“SCI-FI!! SCI-FI!! SCI-FI!! SCI-FI!! SCI-FI!!”
DD: “All of the Red Line faithful have Russ Spackler’s back here tonight, as he brings a snot-filled slap to the face of Nathan Fear and his Red Crown Champion, Ivan Dalkichev! Dalkichev didn’t see that dropkick going, and now as fortune would have it, is having TROUBLE getting those arms free from the second and top ropes! But “Sci-Fi” Russ Spacker looks like he wants MORE!”
[Spackler slips through the ropes and gets to the apron on Ivan’s side… Dalkichev squirms and tries to use his girth to shove him away, but Russ has now trouble hooking him from behind around the waist, lifting the legs, and locking in the PTERALIMBDAL LOTUS LOCK!! The fans cheer LOUDER as Ivan’s eyes bulge and his teeth grit! The giant ROARS in pain in anger!]
DD: “Ivan Dalkichev was NOT expecting something like THIS to fall into his lap at this special coronation ceremony, but just like any traditional sci-fi monster, RUSS SPACKLER has come BACK FROM THE DEAD in a last ditch effort to spread his reign of terror! Wait a second, Fear back up… and he’s got THE CROWN!”
[BANG!! With the Red Crown held over his fist like a boxing glove, Nathan Fear desperately BEAMS Spackler across the exposed leg! The crowd “OOOHS” painfully as Russ immediately grabs the knee and loses his grip on the hold, crashing down to the ringside floor! In the ring, the released Ivan drops to his knees, while Fear stomps around screaming angrily for security to intervene! Both security and EMTs charge through the apron, the former sliding into the ring for the champion’s protection while the latter tending to Spackler.]
DD: “What a SHOT over the knee! Russ Spackler still favoring that leg… and now the medical personnel are calling for the stretcher! That can’t be a good sign…”
[The EMTs work together in getting Spackler up and onto the stretcher. Despite the pain, he HOWLS like a monster that’s just been dealt its fatal weakness, completely hamming it up and holding out a vengeful hand toward the ring. Cookie appears from the entryway and stands at her man’s side as the medical personnel take him to the back for closer examination. Back in the ring, Fear has found the microphone once again.]
NF: “DO YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS, RED LINE?! DO YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS?!”
[A group of Dudeist hipsters in the front row immediately follow up by quoting “DO YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FIND A STRANGER IN THE ALPS?!” from the broadcast version of the Big Lebowski. Strands of hair undone from his ponytail and frothing in anger, Fear FURIOUSLY kicks the bottom rope at them.]
NF: “YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!!”
[Composing himself to the best of his ability but still taking in deep, raging breaths, Nathan Fear points down to the EMT slowly being wheeled around the ring.]
NF: “RUSS SPACKLER, you COWARD… THAT’S WHAT YOU GET for being an idiot! And that’s what’s in STORE for anybody who tries to get in the way of Nathan Fear or the Red Crown Champion… “THE LAST TITAN” IV -- “
DD: “THAT’S TWO-SEE’S MUSIC! The Second Coming is SPRINTING down the ramp, it looks like she’s ready to even the odds for Spackler right now and – wait a minute, who is that in the crowd? No…NO!
…KANGARRY ROO just hit The Second Coming with a bicycle kick from outside the barricade! Just like he blindsided Dalkichev all those weeks ago! What a blindsided shot, and 2C is on the ground…she’s looking to get up now, and…oh, of course. HE’S here.”
[KID KOALA and the rest of the MARSUPIALS of MAYHEM emerge from around the arena and restrain 2C’s arms and legs. Amid the chaos, DALKICHEV battles through the EMTs and security and begins to wail away once again at the knee FEAR hit with the Red Crown. KK gets in 2C’s face and starts SCREAMING.]
KK: “DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW, WOMAN?? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS TO HEROES IN THIS WORLD?? THEY GET EATEN UP. Look at it! LOOK AT IT!!”
ID: “GGRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHHHH!!!”
[Everybody in the Sullivan Athletic Center SHRINKS as Ivan Dalkichev suddenly BURSTS TO HIS FULL HEIGHT in the center of the ring, unleashing a DEAFENING ROAR!]
DD: “GOOD GOD, somebody hit the FIRE ALARM! This whole scenario has gone FULL ON CHERNOBYL!!!”
[Ivan goes for the ropes, trying to pursue the EMT as it goes up the aisle toward the curtain… two of the security guards try to stop him from the situation getting any messier, but get shoved aside. The whole team of six move, three a piece on either arm of the Crimson Colossus, and what follows is an absolute MASSACRE as the Red Crown Champion diverts his rage onto THEM! Red-shirted bodies FLAIL across the ring from the force of Ivan’s mighty punches, and those that manage to dodge them only get grabbed and SLAMMED FORCEFULLY into the canvas! The last man standing tries to bail, but YELPS as Ivan’s massive hand snatches him by the leg, yanks him back in, and DRILLS HIM with a TITAN DRIVER!! 2C fights as hard as she can to free herself, but with three Marsupials cinching in, all she can do is burn a fiery hole into KID KOALA’s forehead.]
DD: “IVAN DALKICHEV JUST TOOK OUT ALL OF RED LINE’S SECURITY TEAM!! And he STILL LOOKS LIKE HE WANTS MORE!! And The Second Coming is being STOPPED, and the Marsupials of Mayhem are just sick individuals for doing this…they’re letting the monster be the MONSTER.”
[Still not content, Ivan begins picking bodies off the mat… deliver ANOTHER TITAN DRIVER… and ANOTHER TITAN DRIVER! His rage knows NO LIMITS… until he turns and finds NATHAN FEAR standing before him, holding the Red Crown Title up and into the champ’s face! Fear looks legitimately panicked, like a lion tamer who has lost control of his beast…]
DD: “FINALLY, Nathan Fear trying to diffuse the situation! He’s practically pleading to Ivan, trying to calm him down and remind him who he is!”
[Slowly Ivan reaches up… for a moment, it almost looks as though Frankenstein is about to be strangled by his own monster… but instead, his hands clasp down onto the Red Crown Title, and the anger slowly leaves Ivan Dalkichev’s eyes as he loses himself in his reflection on the face of the belt. Fear pats him on the shoulder, then surveys the damage and quickly tries to straighten himself up, maintaining what he can of his appearance.]
NF: “You brought this on yourselves, Red Line! And this is EXACTLY why this company will fail… because you allow travesties like THIS to happen, with freaks like RUSS SPACKLER! We will be HAPPY when the day comes when we leave this place behind… but until that day comes, if ANYBODY in that locker room has their best interests at heart, then they will run and HIDE the moment they see “The Last Titan” come to the ring! And that includes YOU, Second Coming!”
[KK hits a superkick to a heavily restrained 2C, dropping her to the ground cold. In the ring, Fear motions to Ivan to follow… Dalkichev is slow to respond, still breathing heavily, but Nathan eventually coaxes him into stepping over the bodies of security volunteers and exiting the ring. The fans JEER LOUDLY as they make their less-than-graceful exit.]
DD: “Ivan Dalkichev went into full on BEAST mode there for a minute… and it’s clear to me, that there’s something going on in that man’s head that not even Nathan Fear fully knows about! He may have very well built a monster that is beyond even his control! Meanwhile, Russ Spackler… you all saw it for yourselves, how he was holding that knee! I would not be surprised to see him out for an extended period after that… but will he be back? And will he be any more equipped to take down “The Last Titan”? It’s hard to say at this point, but one thing IS for certain… whether he likes it or not, Nathan Fear’s client is this company’s representative champion, and he MUST put that title on the line at some point! The Second Coming currently stands as the number one contender, but Kid Koala and his band of Aussie Anarchists are RELENTLESS in their quest to get her out of the title picture. A dark day for Red Line Wrestling, folks, a dark day indeed. But that’s why they say, when you ride the Red Line…don’t fall asleep.”
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