The Ultimate Showdown: Act I “The Rise of Thomas Uriel Bates

[Thomas Uriel Bates]

The Ultimate Showdown: Act I “The Rise of Thomas Uriel Bates”

Scene I “Who is Thomas Uriel Bates?”
WCF DVD Collection: Road to Ultimate Showdown 2016 – Your House, Whereverville

Just who is Thomas Uriel Bates? Maybe you’re wondering what his back story is, or maybe you just forgot to pay your cable bill and this is the only DVD you have left that you haven’t watched yet. Regardless, here you are, watching the Anti-Piracy screen, then finally the twenty thousand or so “produced by” scenes that plague a movie before it starts.

The WCF released a series of straight to DVD videos featuring every contender for the 2016 WCF Ultimate Showdown. There was one for Stuart Slane, which highlighted his World Championship reign. One for Kevin Bishop, showing his quick rise in the company. One for Brent Alpine showing his tenure in the WCF, one for Nathan Chambers showing… well you most likely didn’t even watch that unless your name is Nathan Chambers. If you are Nathan, then “Hi, and thanks for reading.” The one for Gemini is hilarious, make sure you watch that one. The one for Zombie McMorris is confusing as hell. If you understood any of that DVD, check yourself into Rehab as soon as possible. Don’t even finish reading this sentence, just get yourself checked in.

Okay, now that the Zombie McMorris fans are being carried away to “Rehab”, and Nathan Chambers has put in his own DVD and lowered the lights to set the mood… the rest of you are sitting back on your chair or couch trying to find out more about the WCF’s Strongest Man; Thomas Uriel Bates.

The video opens to scenes from last year’s Ultimate Showdown where Thomas Uriel Bates and Dune are exchanging a series of blows, near pinfalls, and near submissions. The clip ends with Dune being handed the WCF World Championship while Bates is handed the United States Championship. Bates has the look on his face of determination. The unwillingness to end things the way they are. The drive to become the WCF World Champion. The scene is replaced by a field of black, with white words in basic text…

“One Year Later”

A new clip fills the screen, this time of WCF Slam, the one right before Ultimate Showdown. Night Rider chokes Bates behind his back, then rakes the eyes of the giant. Rider hits him with a right and a left before kicking him in the gut. Bates grabs Night Rider’s leg and drops hard with an elbow. Bates stands, helps Rider up, tosses him to the ropes.

And sends him straight to the moon with a Bates’ Boot!

The clip is instantly replaced with an image of a well-dressed man of clearly Asian descent. The words on the screen read “Alexander James – Uncle”

Alexander James: Tommy was always driven. He had a fire in his heart. Such passion. I knew the moment he signed up with WCF that it would only be a matter of time.

A new clip shows Thomas Uriel Bates standing in the ring with Gemini Battle and Mr. Amazing. Bates easily tosses Gemini Battle ten feet out into the crowd, turns, and delivers a Bates’ Boot to Mr. Amazing, ending his career.

Now we see Gemini Battle in full face paint looking bewildered. The words on the screen read “Gemini Battle/Grayson Pierce – Best Friend”

Gemini Battle: What the hell is this? Why am I here? What’s going on? I’m facing this bastard too you know…

New clips show Bates leading the Dark Riders Gang MC through a deserted road out west somewhere. The image is replaced by shots of the DRG, and then the Defilers of Logic, facing off against Imperium, Pantheon (old and new), the AoD, and various other groups along the way.

A large older gentleman replaces the scene, with the words “Andre Uriel Bates – Father.”

Andre Uriel Bates: When he first joined the WCF, he knew he needed to make his mark. He did it quick, and took on some of the best the WCF had to offer in a short amount of time.

New images replace the elder Bates, showing Thomas Bates and his father inside a ring in a gym. Bates holds a microphone.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Since I was about fifteen years old I told my father I wanted to wrestle. I studied his moves, Scott’s moves, even my Uncle Alex’s moves. I can still remember coming to the gym with my father and lifting the weights, punching the backs, doing everything I could so that one day I would be just like him. I joined my high school wrestling team, then to college. When I graduated I came back here to officially train under my father. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

Thomas lowered his microphone and embraced his father briefly. The crowd cheers and claps, then quiets when Thomas Bates resumes.

Thomas Uriel Bates: When I get to the WCF, I will be starting a new era. Like my father before me, I intend to dominate the industry. I will carve out a name for myself, just like he did. I know I have a long way to go, but I intend to eventually become the WCF World Champion!

We return to Alexander James.

Alexander James: At Ultimate Showdown, Tommy will start his own path to greatness. He will begin his legacy.

We now see Hank Brown sitting with Thomas Uriel Bates for an early interview.

Hank Brown: You mentioned earlier of holding gold. What gold are you going for?

Thomas Uriel Bates: Well, of course I want the World Championship that is currently being held by Bobby Cairo. I want it so bad I can taste it. I know that I’m somewhat new here, so I know there is an order of things. I know that the World Championship will have to wait. There are plenty of other titles to go through first. The Television, the United States, the Hardcore Championships. I plan to go for those before I go for the World. When I’m ready to challenge for the World Championship, I will walk up to Bobby Cairo, or whoever is holding that title, and I will lay all of the Gold in the WCF at his feet. My path to Gold will be littered with the broken bodies of all the champions.

We return to see Andre Uriel Bates.

Andre Uriel Bates: He didn’t lie. By Ultimate Showdown last year, he had littered the entire WCF with the bodies of those that came before him. Not just anybody either, the big names of WCF. Bobby Cairo, ICE Beckman, Joey Flash, Odin Balfore, Corey Black, Steve Orbit, he faced all of them and more. Each one of them, their legends, knew that my boy was to be taken seriously. This year, this time, it’s his time.

The video ends with a compilation of Bates running through the entire WCF roster delivering his finishing moves “The Badge” and the “Bates’ Boot”. Words come across the screen.

“The Ultimate Showdown 2016”

Scene II “The King of the Internet”
Brooklyn Bridge – New York City, New York

Handheld cameras are always shaky. Professionals always seem to make it seem easy, which is more than enough reason that they earn their pay. Camera phones just make it that much more obvious that not everyone should be making videos. This fact doesn’t seem to stop WCF wrestler and one half of the WCF Tag Team Championship, Thomas Uriel Bates, from trying.

When the background stabilizes enough, you can clearly see off in a distance the Statue of Liberty. You also see dozens of people crossing the background. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where they are. For those that think it does; we find ourselves on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Looks like I’m getting bit of a late start, at least according to the Coked Up Madman. I’ve been a bit busy dedicating myself to my workout, and occasionally taking breaks to check in on the WCF Twitter Feed. It is hilarious watching Zombie McMorris and Nathan Chambers get so worked up over some silly posts on the internet. You’d think it’s their life or something.

Of course, Zombie McMorris does have an excuse, unlike Nathan Chambers. McMorris is the WCF Internet Champion, having pinned Jackson “The Fenix” White. Ol’ Z-Mac has held on to that title for about ten months. It’s a remarkable feat, and he does deserve recognition for that.

I mean, anyone can have their career eating Cheetos and chugging down the Diet Coke while sitting in their underwear at the computer after months of not bathing, but Zombie McMorris is a legend at this. Maybe though, that’s what scares him.

He has become aware of his status as the WCF’s resident geek leaving in his other’s basement. It is his greatest accomplishment, and he knows it. Look at his other title runs. Steve Orbit wins the Tag Team titles for him, then he gets pinned by ICE Beckman to become United States Champion at Ultimate Showdown, which I honestly can’t say too much on. He wins the Television title only to lose it to Joey Flash a month later, and then he goes off to win the Hardcore Championship by pinning Torture, of course this was after Corey Black took out Torture, but what’s that Z-Mac likes to say? “Honey Badger Don’t…” well you know the rest.

That World Championship though, that seems to have eluded him. His chance to become the WCF World Champion, and his tag team partner takes all the victory for himself. He tried, but he just couldn’t reach it. It’s not his legacy. It’s not what he’s meant to do. Zombie McMorris is without a doubt, the WCF Internet Champion. He is the first, and perhaps even the greatest Internet Champion in WCF history. It’s his legacy in the WCF. Even if someone else walks away with the Internet Championship, this is what he is truly meant for. First Internet Champion, holds the title four times, holds this latest one for damn near a year. If he retains at Ultimate Showdown, which I have faith he will, he will most likely hold that title until the next Ultimate Showdown.

He doesn’t appear to be embracing his legacy though. He doesn’t want to be known just for being the greatest Internet Champion. He wants to be the greatest World Champion. He wants to live up to the hype he builds up for himself. He wants everyone to believe that he’s the best one in this match, because he himself wants to believe it.

He’s pushing. He’s pushing away from his legacy right now, and trying to be something that he’s not. He’s reaching for the stars, while he’s twenty thousand leagues under the sea. He wants to win the Ultimate Showdown to pull himself out of this rut he sees himself in.

Zombie McMorris is the WCF Internet Champion. The greatest one we’ve ever had. He deserves that belt, and at Ultimate Showdown; he can keep it. I don’t want it.

Bates stares at the handheld camera for a moment before smiling and tapping the screen. Just before the video ends, a shot reveals that he is nearing the end of the bridge.

Scene III “The People’s Champion”
Dumbo’s Historic District – Brooklyn, New York

This shot is a little better. Of course, Thomas Uriel Bates himself is not holding the camera. It appears he has handed that responsibility to someone we just can’t see. We can however, now fully see the massive wrestler that could very well be the next WCF World Champion.

He dresses the part too. Black slacks, dark grey striped buttoned shirt that is clearly a little too small, perfect to show off his physical appearance. His black Oxford shoes clack on the cobblestone streets, occasionally stepping over the remnants of old train tracks. The Manhattan skyline shows clearly in the not too far distance.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Dumbo’s Historic District. A very important part of Brooklyn’s history. I mean, for crying out loud; cardboard boxes were invented here! This is truly an amazing place. One of the best things about the WCF, is that I get to go out and meet the people, and see the world. Lately all I’ve been seeing is New England though, but that’s largely due to Seth Lerch not being sober enough to run a business.

I mean, this is what the WCF People’s Champion should be doing. Going out, hitting the local scenes, meeting the people, adverting the local scenes. This is what Teddy Blaze should be doing, instead of hitting his friend and former team mate with his belt.

What were you thinking Teddy? That you would just this one time break every code you claim to live by? That you would simply get a pass to do something bad while pretending you’re all doing it for good? Are you in a rut too, are you dying to get rid of that title you currently have?

Whatever your reason Teddy, you don’t get a pass. You don’t get to act like some good guy ninety-nine percent of the time and be some common heel whenever it suits you. I am so glad that you didn’t do this while wearing your old Teo Del Sol mask, because I’ve got news for you Teddy, you’ll never be Teo Del Sol again.

That’s right Teddy, you screwed up, and you screwed up bad. You ripped off that mask because you were devastated by the previous Closing, which you blamed all the heels, and what do you do about it, Teddy? You become the very heel you claim tore down this company. You killed Teo Del Sol that moment. If you were to ever put that mask on again, it will be nothing but a fancy charade. Teddy Blaze is all that remains, and all that will ever be of the rotting corpse of Teo Del Sol.

And for what Teddy? To hold on to that People’s Championship? To continue on your reign as the longest running People’s Champion? Maybe just to use that belt to cash in for some higher title, such as the WCF World Championship? Did you really bash in the head of your friend just to betray everything you made that belt stand for, just so you can cash it in and try to get some higher belt? What kind of Champion are you, Teddy? What kind of man are you?

Teo Del Sol was a good man, a great wrestler, and one hell of a Champion. You pretend to be all of these things, but you will quickly stab your own friend in the back just to get some kind of edge. When you stabbed him in the back, Teddy, you stabbed each and every one of the fans in the back. You stabbed the People in the back. That is the kind of Champion you are Teddy. Teo was a great Champion, but you are no Teo Del Sol.

So now you’re between two worlds. Some desire to hold on to that belt you held for so long, and the desire to grab hold of the highest title in the WCF Galaxy. You want to hold on to that belt, to Teo Del Sol’s legacy, but as you grasp for the WCF World Title; notice that your grip on both are loose.

Your attempt to grasp both the People’s Championship and that World Title will cost you, and you will walk out of Ultimate Showdown without either. I don’t want your belt Teddy, but you don’t deserve it. It is my hope that perhaps Gemini will take that title away from you, or maybe Stuart Slane. The People need a real Champion for them, and it’s just not you. You’ve hurt the people, you’ve betrayed them.

Bates simply shakes his head as he motions for the camera to cut the feed.

Scene IV “Imperfection”
Grimaldi’s Pizza – Brooklyn, New York

We now see clearly, and without any shaking of the camera. The only indication that this is still not a professional job, is that the camera is angled up, perhaps from being placed on a table. The place is packed, full of dozens of customers, and a long line waiting to get in. With the red checked table cloths, the dozens of pictures on the wall, the long stairs heading up to the second floor, it was unmistakable the location; Grimaldi’s Pizza.

Here, at a table by himself, sat Thomas Uriel Bates, challenger to the WCF World Championship, current WCF Tag Team Champion alongside Gemini Battle, former WCF Trios Champion alongside Gemini Battle and George “Gonzo” Murdock, former WCF United States Champion, and former WCF Television Champion. He remains dressed in his earlier attire, indicating that several videos have been filmed on his trip to Brooklyn, only nine miles from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the location for the 2016 WCF Ultimate Showdown.

This competitor sat at his table enjoying his large slices of meat filled pizza. From the looks of it, he had already enjoyed a good portion of the pie, and was in the process of finishing it off. As the giant finishes his food, washing it down with a nearly empty glass of perhaps coke, he turns to look at the camera.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Hello again. I am just enjoying a meal at Grimaldi’s Pizza in Brooklyn, New York. I’m not a big fan of a lot of things that come out of New York, especially during this election cycle, but these New Yorkers really know how to make a pizza.

You could almost say it was perfect, right? That’s right, I’m going to take a little time out of my very busy day to talk about the WCF Hardcore Champion, Nathan Chambers. I refuse to acknowledge him as this “Perfection Champion” he claims to be.

Let’s take a look at this for a moment. Nathan Chambers comes in, and by chance beats Teo Del Sol before Teo lost his mind. He then runs out there and demands the WCF Hardcore Championship, not demands a match for it, but demands the title. Seth in his liquor filled “brilliance” decides to throw three fans dressed up as wrestlers up against him, and Nathan Chambers walks away with an undeserved title.

Not satisfied with staining the reputation of the WCF Hardcore Championship by simply being handed the title, he decided to disgrace it with spray painting it pink and renaming it some kind of “Perfection” Championship. Let me tell you something, there’s no perfection involved in this.

Of course, Nate here doesn’t seem to care. He already views the Hardcore Division as barbaric and degrading, so what does he care? The man demanded the title and yet doesn’t want to represent everything the belt stands for. He only wanted it just for some kind of… How do the kids say it? “Bling”?

That Hardcore Championship is supposed to mean something. It’s supposed to show complete dedication to the division. It is supposed to show just how far you will go to get that title. What sacrifices you are willing to make. Not just your body, but your mind and your soul. How far will you go to become the WCF Hardcore Champion?

No, instead you simply demand some vacant title and fight a few one night only wrestlers that go home, write on their efed message boards, and relive their one moment in the spotlight for the rest of their lives, with altered ending of course.

Maybe that’s what you should do Nathan; go home.

Bates simply shakes his head as he reaches down and turns off the camera.

Scene V “Not For You”
Fulton Ferry Landing – Brooklyn, New York

Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regretted rien
Car ma vie, car mes joies
Aujourd’hui ça commence avec toi

Can you imagine being a WCF superstar? Sure it seems like fun; you get to beat up people you don’t like, you get to compete for Championships, you get worldwide fame, and when Seth hasn’t blown the funding for the quarter, you get a nice salary.

The career is not without its troubles though. It is full of long road trips, sacrificing your body night after night, the large hospital bills, the nights spent away from family and friends, and the most annoying cameramen and camera devices that have ever existed. Everyone wants to be famous until the cameras are shoved in your face.

You can’t even enjoy a night out at a jazz session in one of Brooklyn’s primary locations; the Fulton Ferry Landing. Try to listen to the words originally spoken by Édith Piaf was impossible as some random cameraman of WCF fixed the camera on the face of Thomas Uriel Bates.

The frustration has been visible in his face since perhaps his third or fourth match in the WCF. It was even more visible now. Deciding to spare the rest of the crowd, the big man stood and exited the door, knowing full well the cameraman would follow. He turned to look at the camera and spoke with his usual Southern Accent, with a hint of annoyance.

Thomas Uriel Bates: I thought filming my own little YouTube videos would get y’all off my back. Am I not giving long enough videos? Am I not giving you your twenty minute speeches tearing apart my opponents? No? Maybe it’s this match, right? The Ultimate Showdown, and you want to hear about what I think of every single competitor?

Do you hound the other wrestlers like this? I’ve seen some of the other promotional videos, social media posts, and so forth, and I don’t see you hounding certain individuals that haven’t even commented about the match yet. I….

Bates shakes his head.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Nevermind. You’re not interested in my complaints. You just want to know what I think of whoever I feel like taking apart right now. So let’s see who we have left. I’ve done one video for Zombie McMorris, one for Nathan Chambers, and one for Teddy Blaze. That’s the Internet, the People’s, and the Hardcore Championships. Maybe I should talk about a title now that’s near and dear to my heart. My first title here in the WCF, in fact my first Championship in my entire wrestling career.

The WCF Television Championship, currently being held by “The Shine” Brent Alpine, who has held this title twice. He had so much going for him, he had so much that he could accomplish. There was no reason in twenty fourteen than in twenty sixteen “The Shine” Brent Alpine would be one of the top stars of the WCF.

Of course, he never left the stage he was on. He was the Television Champion for one month. One month of greatness, followed by an embarrassing closure. A mental breakdown brings such a promising career to a halt.

Greatness was within his grasp, and boy was he reaching for it. Just like he’s reaching right now for the WCF World Championship. He’s gunning for Stuart Slane right now, wanting that title, wanting to redeem himself for his embarrassment in twenty fourteen. Yet just like twenty fourteen, the World Championship is just outside of reach. Why? Because he’s focusing too much on Slane, too much on getting that title from him, that he can’t see the other people in the match.

Of the competitors in this match, only Zombie McMorris and myself have experience in this match. Let me tell you something, it is stressful. This isn’t a regular over the top battle royal where you can simply throw someone out of the ring and never have to worry about them again. This is a fight where you have to take out each and every single opponent, and pin them or force them to submit. All the while you have every other competitor in that ring wanting to take you out next. One moment you’re pinning someone, the next moment you’re pinned by someone else. This is not your regular match.

That’s what will cost Brent Alpine this match. He’s not prepared for it. He’s not ready for it. These people are going to be coming at him all at once, and he’s not going to know what to do. I am afraid that Brent Alpine might relapse. I am afraid we may see another meltdown. I sincerely hope not, but if his past is any indication; he doesn’t stand a chance.

One more thing, Brent. I’ve been the WCF Television Champion before, and that brings even more stress to the table. You’re fighting week after week against whatever the WCF can throw at you. New competitors wanting to make a name for themselves by beating you, old competitors wanting to stay relevant by taking you out, a new challenger every single week. Brent, you hold the most stressful Championship in WCF history. The WCF Television Championship is not for you.

It's not that you’re a bad guy Brent. In fact, I really have nothing against you. I am just concerned for your mental well-being. My hope, Brent, is that you lose this belt at Ultimate Showdown. That you end up with one of the Tag Team titles, the Internet, the People’s even. You don’t need the Television title, and you don’t need the World title either.

Bates nods as he turns around, and walks back into the Fulton Ferry Landing, leaving the WCF cameraman on the sidewalk.

Scene VI “Free to Pursue”
Homewood Suits – East Rutherford, New Jersey

It has been a long night, but it’s not quite over yet. Thomas Uriel Bates has three more opponents to discuss for the Ultimate Showdown, and he has dozens of meetings to attend. We find ourselves near the end of one of these meetings.

Nearly every seat at the conference table is full. Thomas Uriel Bates fills one seat on one side of the table, sitting next to attorney Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III, and an entire team of legal advisors. They all sit across from various other attorneys, each one presumably representing Seth Lerch.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: I think you will find that everything is laid out clearly in this new contract. Mister Lerch must provide reasonable job security for those under his employ, must maintain all equipment used by the company such as the ring, must provide adequate health care for all employees, ensure that each employee is paid their salary as per their contract, must resume national and eventual world touring schedules, and any and all other stipulations laid out within this Bill of Rights of sorts.

Seth Lerch’s lawyers simply take the paper and pass it amongst themselves.

Seth Lerch’s Lawyer: Do you really want to stipulate that Mister Lerch must attend a Rehabilitation Facility for his alleged alcoholism?

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: Yes.

Seth’s lawyers sigh.

Seth Lerch’s Lawyer: We will review the contract and get back to you.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: I do hope to hear from you soon enough. We wouldn’t want such matters to drag out for too long, now would we?

The seemingly innocent chatter had more of a threatening tone, as if Thaddeus had some kind of Ace up his sleeve. Seth’s lawyers quickly exit, followed by Thaddeus’s team. Thaddeus however, stays behind with Thomas Uriel Bates.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: Not much longer, Mister Bates. Seth Lerch will have to sign this contract if he expects to continue having a company.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Good.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: You’re really pushing for rehab?

Thomas Uriel Bates: He won’t go for it, and I am certain his lawyers will strike it down. I just want him to get a little scared. I’d be surprised if he accepts it.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: So would I.

The attorney stands and extends his hand to Bates, who accepts.

Thaddeus Jefferson Montgomery III: Good luck in your match this week. I’ll take care of everything else until afterwards.

Bates smiles and nods as the attorney turns and leaves. Bates sits back down, and leans back in the comfortable chair. He reaches in his pocket and draws out his cell phone. He turns on the camera, and sets it down on the table, allowing a steady view that was much different than the series of videos he had made earlier in the day.

Thomas Uriel Bates: I have seven opponents this Sunday. I’ve already done videos for four of them. Only three more to go, so I guess it’s the WCF’s United States Champion Kevin Bishop’s turn now. Time to discuss him, just as I’m sure he has discussed me.

Now not too long ago, Kevin Bishop came out and helped me face off against Seth Lerch and his hired mercenaries. Now, we have not seen them since. In fact, the entire Family that plagued the WCF is gone, and Seth Lerch now rarely comes out of his office anymore. The fight against corruption at the highest levels of WCF is coming to a close.

Now I’ve got these lawyers here hammering away at the fine details. How we’re going to pay for things, how Seth must treat us, what we’re going to do if Seth does not treat us the way the new contract demands. The fight has been taken to the boardrooms and courtrooms, and is no longer a fight in the ring. I thank Kevin Bishop for his service, it was much needed, but it is now over. We are free to pursue other goals.

My goal, now that the future of the WCF is more secure, is to become the WCF World Champion. It’s that simple, really. I’m not in this to dominate the world. I’m not in this to become some kind of King or Emperor, or even some kind of Saint. I’m not here to become some cult’s god and lead them towards conquest. No, I’m here because I am a professional wrestler. As professional wrestlers tend to do, I will go for the highest belt in the company to prove that my wrestling skills are good enough to be Champion of the World.

I’m not coming into this company at the head of some cult. I’m not coming in as some kind of mass murderer, psychopath, serial killer, rapist, or any other type of monster that occasionally darkens our doors here in the WCF. I’m not going around with cult members killing people while I pretend to find some way to escape jail. I mean, it has to be pretend, right? Surely no one here is actually going out killing a bunch of people and getting away with it. Hillary Clinton can get away with it, but something tells me that a bunch of wrestlers can’t get a pass for being “careless.”

I’m coming into this as a wrestler. A guy that wants to prove that he can be the WCF World Champion. To do that, I must face enemies, I must face people I don’t really know much about, and I even must face some friends. Kevin, there’s no reason we have to act like we hate each other. There’s also no reason we have to act like we won’t fight each other. Yes, we’ll fight, and I expect you to give it your best. I won’t be holding anything back, and you better not either.

You hold the WCF United States Championship, which means you’re going to fight hard to stay at the top of the match. You don’t want to accept a “lower” belt, you want to make sure you either win the World Title, or at least stay the United States Champion. You’ve got a lot of fight in you, and I’m sure that it’s going to come down to you being in the final four, but my friend, you need to think about who you’re facing.

You are stepping in that ring with the current WCF World Champion; Stuart Slane. This is the guy that has held the WCF Television Championship, the Internet Championship, the United States Champion, and the World Champion. He’s been around here in the WCF for some time now, and let me tell you something Kevin, that means something.

The WCF isn’t just some run of the mill Indy fed, even though Seth Lerch is making us feel like one right now. This is a place full of legends. Odin Balfore, ICE Beckman, Corey Black, Bobby Cairo, Jonny Fly, Steve Orbit, Gravedigger, these are just some of the names that have graced the doors of the WCF. You’re new to the WCF Kevin, but let me assure you, if anyone made their name amongst those names, then they’ve done something here. Stuart Slane has, Gemini Battle has, I have. If we can all stand toe to toe with those legends, then you’re going to have to do a lot to prove you belong here.

Last year, my road to Ultimate Showdown started early. I won the WCF Internet Championship from Grime, and carried it through the WCF Trios Tournament, where I would win the newly made WCF Trios title alongside Gemini and George Murdock. Along the way I fought legends, destroyed empires, and overcame some of the biggest odds placed against me. I was on my way to the Ultimate Showdown as this unstoppable force, this Impassable Mountain.

Then I lost the belt, and seemingly my shot. I then fought nine other superstars, nine of the very best in the WCF, and I earned myself a spot at the Ultimate Showdown where I would end up going toe to toe with Dune, one of the best Champions in recent time. I fought, and fought hard. I fought so hard that even though I lost and received the United States Championship, I earned a rematch against him for the highest honor in the WCF.

It eluded me, Kevin. Not the right time I suppose.

Bates smiles.

Thomas Uriel Bates: But it’s my time now. Now, Kevin, I will prove that I am the best in the WCF. I will live up to my family name, and I will begin my legacy this Sunday. Kevin, I’m sorry, but you’re just in the way.

Bates reaches down, and turns off the camera.

Scene VII “Cannot Be Forgotten”
Fairfield Inn – East Rutherford

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt.”

How wrong those words were. Some childhood rhyme meant to keep kids from fighting over simple words. Yet the moment they taught us this rhyme, they also threw us in front of a television watching some old cowboy gun down some bad guy over some bad words. A funny lesson if there ever was one.

Words do hurt, and they hurt a lot. Especially if they’re coming from someone you care for. A man can break every single bone in his body, but not feel half as bad as when some woman breaks his heart. A man can survive third degree burns, and still not hurt as bad as his best friend turning his back on him. Physical pain is nothing, but emotional pain, now there’s something that sticks around.

Slap my face, but don’t bruise my heart.

Break my back, but tell me I’m nothing.

Snap my neck, but don’t tell me I’m worthless.

Skin me alive, but don’t tell me you don’t care.

The pain can be difficult to manage. The feeling of betrayal, the anger and the rage towards someone who consider your best friend. The horrifying realization that those years dedicated to that friendship are now wasted, gone forever.

What do you do if you’re the one that caused this pain?

What if you were the one that turned his back on a friend?

What if you’re the one that didn’t care?

You tell yourself that that’s a lie; that you do care. That you didn’t turn your back on him, but that you have a life too. That you have goals you need to accomplish. That you had a calling, something worthwhile to do in your life. Something you had to do. Something you needed to do.

Even shouting it over and over in your head, you realize how selfish it sounds. Yes, you have a life, but your friends and family are a part of that life. Yes, you have goals that you need to accomplish, and that’s when you can lean on your friends. Yes, you had a calling. Yes, you have something worthwhile to do with your life, but is it really worth it at the cost of friendships? You needed to do something, so you did it, and to hell with anyone else.

We had the whole world at our fingertips. Thomas Uriel Bates, Gemini Battle, George Murdock, Mikey eXtreme, Danny Anderson, there was no one that could stop us. Together we toppled kings, destroyed saints, demolished empires, and carved our own path to legends.

All that gets washed away pretty easily, doesn’t it? On top of the world one day, gone the next, right? One moment you’re walking to the ring with two of your best friends at your side holding the WCF Trios Championship, the next you’re in a non-smoking room smoking a cigar while clinching on to the title that you share with your friend, who now hates you.

Now he wants to fight you. Now he wants to use an upcoming match as a chance to get revenge. He wants to draw blood, to make me suffer. Doesn’t he know I’m already suffering? Doesn’t he realize he’s already hurt me much worse than if he were to even injure me in this match?

He pointed it out, loud and clear, that I betrayed my friends. That I left them. That I wasn’t there for them in their time of need, all because I was off chasing some dream, or some misunderstood desire to fix everything that was wrong with our country. He made it clear that I left.

I didn’t know he would lose his son. I didn’t know all of the DRG would fall apart. I didn’t know that he would struggle. I left, I peaked in, I thought everything was fine and dandy. What a fool I was. What kind of friend am I if I can’t look past the smiles on my friends face and see the tears? What kind of friend am I if I can’t tell he’s actually hurting as he’s echoing the cheers and chants of the crowd? What kind of friend am I for leaving in the first place?

I thought that when I returned, I would see the World Championship around the waist of Gemini Battle. I thought I would come in to see my friend being the most dominating force in the WCF. I didn’t expect to find this. I didn’t expect to find the pitiful creature that was once Gemini Battle.

Now he wants revenge. Now he wants blood. Now he’s about to sacrifice everything he wanted, everything I knew he could get, all because he wants to make me suffer. Doesn’t he know that I’m already suffering?

He will sacrifice his future for his revenge. My pride, and my selfishness may yet again drive this wedge further between us. My quest for the WCF World Championship will tear what little friendship we have left.

He will be left behind again, and I will simply be oblivious to his suffering as I am too concerned, too focused, on securing the top belt in the WCF.

My sins cannot be forgotten, nor forgiven, not by Gemini Battle. We now find ourselves on a collision course at the very cusp of greatness. One of us will achieve his goal, and the other will not.

Scene VIII “The Last Boyscout”
The Woods – Just Outside East Rutherford, New Jersey

Ah, the great outdoors. The perfect place to come out and enjoy nature. Not to mention, the perfect place to come out and get away from all the noise and chaos of the city. Of course, Hunting Season has not started yet, but it is here we find WCF superstar Thomas Uriel Bates holding a Weatherby Mark V bolt action rifle with a Leupold Scope.

The big man takes the rifle, and puts it to his shoulder, aiming at a piece of paper about one hundred yards away. He breaths in and exhales slowly, stopping halfway as he aims. As he exhales, he squeezes the trigger.

He fires, perfect shot.

He pulls back the bolt, inserting another seven millimeter round, and closing the bolt. Nearly as soon as he closes the bolt, with his middle finger he pulls the trigger again.

A little to the left of the hole he placed dead center.

He pulls the bolt back again, closes, and fires with quick speed.

This round goes through the second hole, expanding it slightly.

The bolt goes back, it goes forward, another bang that hits just below the bullseye.

He stops, opens the bolt, and turns to the camera with a smile.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Hello there. Glad you got to come up here and watch me try out my new Weatherby. Bought this over in Connecticut at Cabela’s. Very nice firearm, and a very good round in a Seven Millimeter.

I invited the cameras out here to this shoot not just to shoot the rifle, but to show the Scoutmaster that he’s not the only one out here with an appreciation for the finer things in life. Such as the great outdoors, scouting, or the WCF World Championship.

Now Stuart Slane is indeed a Boy Scout. Now that’s not an insult, I respected the Scouts for the longest time. It’s only recently that I’ve withdrawn my support of the Boy Scouts. When I use the term, I mean it with upmost respect and never in a negative way. You are the Scoutmaster, Stuart.

I’ve been called a Boy Scout plenty of times, but I’m going to be honest, I didn’t go very far in it. Didn’t like any of the Troops in my area, and would rather go out hunting with my father or my uncle. I enjoyed those times, Slane, so I can understand your devotion even now to Scouting.

There was one problem I had with the Scouts, Slane. One major problem. It seemed to me that a lot of the boys were more concerned with how many badges they could get, rather than enjoying the experience. They want to hurry up and prove they can do knots, they want to prove they can start fires, they want to prove they can do this, do that, earn one more badge on top of one more badge. Some of them never could just sit back, enjoy the view, and take in the experience.

Now, Stuart, I’ve seen some of your comments here and there. On the social media pages, promotional videos to your opponents, what have you; where you are bragging about how you’re going to win, simply because you are indeed the WCF World Champion.

Now, Slane, you are the World Champion, and you deserved to win that title. That’s not how you’re going to hold that title though. You don’t get to keep that badge and act like you’re never going to lose it. No, Stuart, just because you’re the WCF World Champion doesn’t mean you’re going to win the Ultimate Showdown, it just means you’re going to have to fight even harder than all the rest of us.

Zombie McMorris wants to take you out. If he can do it, he may even be taken serious again. Teddy Blaze is even willing to betray everything he ever was, just to take that title from you. Kevin Bishop the new blood sees red whenever he sees you. Gemini Battle wants to prove himself by taking you out and taking that title. Brent Alpine wants to finally hold on to a belt other than the WCF Television Championship, and Nathan Chambers wants to paint the belt pink. We’re all gunning for you, Stuart.

I’m gunning for you. It’s not because I don’t like you. It’s not because I have some grudge against you, and want to crush your skull with my bare hands. No, Slane, I want to prove to the WCF Galaxy, to the entire world, that I have what it takes to be the World Champion, and that I deserve to be in this business.

My uncle set a lot of records with World Championships. Now he never held the WCF World Title, but he did hold thirty-one others. My father held eleven of them. Stuart, it is my turn to hang a World Championship on the family trophy wall, and I intend to do that with the WCF World Championship. I intend to begin my legacy at Ultimate Showdown.

Now last year I fell short. Last year I came down to that ring, and fought like hell to get to the number two spot in the match. A one on one with Dune. That man is a beast in the ring. Not many people could do what he did, and in fact no one has. He entered the Ultimate Showdown with the World Title, and walked out with it too. I was the only one that could come close to taking it from him.

Blow after blow, strike after strike, kick after kick, bite after bite, scratch after scratch, me and Dune fought like the Titans of legend. Lightning fell from the skies and thunder roared every time one of us connected with a move. The earth shook, the stars flickered, and the world sat and watched in complete shock.

Bates’ Boot, he kicks out.

The Sandstorm, I kick out.

A rarely used move, at just the right moment, and Dune walked out of there with a well-deserved title. Do you have what it takes to do that, Stuart? I know that I have what it takes to fight till the bitter end, but do you?

Bates finishes loading his rifle.

Thomas Uriel Bates: I guess we’ll find out.

Bates shoulders the rifle, aims at the paper target, and begins firing as the camera withdraws.