The Great American Downfall

[Mikey eXtreme]

The Great American Downfall

I. Champion’s Musings
II. Darkness Falls and the King is Born
III. Hank Brown, you say?
IV. The Downfall of Vengeance
V. The Rise of the American Way
VI. The Toy
VII. Hank Brown, The Redux
VIII. The Champion Once More.

I. Champion’s Musings

Mikey sat in his hotel room, the lights were completely off, deep in thought. His feet, hung over the bed, rested on the floor as his elbows were digging into his thighs. Every so often he would readjust to help fight the pins and needles, but other than that, his only thoughts were on his United States Championship. A belt he feels was robbed from him once again.

Vengeance has no right to that belt. It’s my belt. I put in the work to restore that championship to it’s glory. I’m the one who made the United States championship what it is today. I’m the true gold standard when it comes to the United States championship.

But now, Vengeance gets to thrive in my spot? He gets to hold MY prestigious United States championship like he deserves it? I’ve ended careers for this belt. I’ve made people question their abilities in that ring, and he gets to carry my title? I don’t think so.

Mikey runs his hands through his hair and cups his face.

Mikey eXtreme: I am the Greatest.

Vidalia: There’s no doubt about that.

Vidalia’s voice can be heard as it stretches across the hotel room. She’s in the kitchen area microwaving a breakfast burrito.

Mikey eXtreme: He got lucky last time, Vi. There’s no way he is beating me again. There is no way he will EVER beat me again.. I will do all that needs to be done to make sure he does not win. I will put my body more on the line in this match than I have ever done so in my career.

He’s not walking out of Chicago with my belt. He’s not walking out of Chicago on his own two feet. Make no mistake about it, Vidalia. I will do all that I can to make sure he can’t wrestle ever again.

He is a mockery of all things American. He thinks because he beat me, because he beat the Greatest Living American, that it gives him some kind of a credibility. He believes that just because he defeated the greatest US Champion in the history of the WCF that it makes him a worthy champion. He believes he stands a chance in this match. He believes that I won’t be able to avenge these losses, that I will sit back and let him keep my title.

I am America. I am the American Way. There is nothing about Vengeance that gives him the authority to control my country. He wants to run for president, let him. He’s a bigger joke than Hillary Clinton. Could you imagine having to pick between Vengeance and Hillary? I think I’d rather write in Jimmy McMillan. The Rent is too Damn High, after all.

Vidalia laughs.

Mikey eXtreme: You’re laughing, but it’s true. Vengeance got lucky when he beat me, and it went straight to his head. Now he thinks that he is some kind of political mastermind, he thinks that he has a chance to win. He can’t beat Donald Trump, and he never will. I don’t know if it’s the voices whispering in his ear or if he really is this crazy, but these voices need to warn him against this match.

He’s going to take me lightly, and that’s on him. Let him do what he needs to do, let him go into this match however he wants to, because I can only go into this match looking for revenge. Looking to reclaim what was stolen from me. I’m going to do just that, too. I’m going to reclaim my belt, Vi. I’m going to sit back on the top of the American throne.

Mikey stands to his feet and lets out a large breath of air.

Mikey eXtreme: This match is going to be talked about for a long time. I am going to erase that last match with Vengeance. As far as I’m concerned, it never happened. It was a myth, and should not be taken for any kind of truth.

Vidalia: But, it was a hard fought match. You should be proud of your performance.

Mikey eXtreme: Proud of my performance? I lost. There is no pride in losing a match. There is no way anyone should ever be proud of losing. There is no way anyone should ever accept pride in losing. That’s what's wrong with this country. You put your kid in little league, and you give him a trophy for losing.

Good job kid, maybe next time.

Get the fuck out of here. You lost. Play better next time and maybe you’ll get the fucking trophy. Don’t reward a kid for nothing. That makes them weak, and weaknesses should be eradicated. We need a strong nation and a strong nation needs to be built with strong individuals. Vengeance? He will crumble before me just as everyone else has. He won’t even be an after thought once I am done with him.

Mikey walks towards the window, peeking out into the distance he can see the city they’re staying in. It’s not that great, hell, no city can compare to Mikey’s hometown, but he keeps his eyes in the distance.

II. Darkness Falls and the King is Born

The clouds of the darkness that had swirled above the infamous Clock Tower that housed Mikey’s throne had been dissipating for a few days now. The sky, which was usually black, was returning to a light blueish hue. Mikey did not know what to make of this, as it was something he had grown accustomed to. Still, he stood there, staring into the distance watching as Chicago morphed into his fictitious kingdom.

Mikey eXtreme: Something strange is happening.

Mikey looked around the room, Vidalia was now wearing a royal garb and Freakshow was standing in the corner, keeping an eye on the throne room.

Vidalia: What’s happening?

Mikey was unable to put his finger on it, he could not see what was actually happening around him.

Mikey eXtreme: The skies, they’re changing.

Vidalia: What does that mean?

Mikey was hopeful that Doc would appear and guide him through what was going on. Doc had always shown up to help guide him and it was very strange that this was not the case this time. Mikey forcefully closed his eyes and sprung them open, hoping for a change.

Nothing.

Mikey eXtreme: I do not know. To say that this is not frustrating would be a lie. I am going insane thinking about this. None of this is making sense.

Vidalia: what if the darkness is leaving us?

Mikey looks over to her with anger and fear in his eyes.

Mikey eXtreme: Do not speak these words, Vidalia. The Darkness will always control me, the Darkness will always guide me through this journey that we call life. The Darkness will always give me the power that I need.

Vidalia: Then what could be happening?

Suddenly, from the corner of the room, a giant komodo dragon makes its presence known.

Dragon: Mikey..

Everyone in the room turns their heads to this lizard, their eyebrows raised.

Dragon: You are correct. We will always guide you. We will always be there for you. You may have lost that United States championship, but, it is official. You are now the KING of the Darkness.

Mikey looks a bit confused.

Mikey eXtreme: If I am to be King, then why have the skies cleared?

Dragon: A valid question, but now you are the King and you are free to move in secret. You are free to blend in with the masses and people will not be able to see through your guise. No one will know that you are an agent of the Darkness nor will they know you are the King., that you rule over the darkside with an iron fist.

A smirk comes across the face of Mikey eXtreme.

Dragon: You may use these powers to your advantage, or you can choose not too. You are in full control now and only the Dark Lords sit above you. Everything else is under your control. Everything.

The Komodo dragon turns around and runs down a hallway as all three of them watch it vanish into the darkness.

Vidalia: Well, that was… weird.

Mikey shoots her a puzzled look.

Mikey eXtreme: Weird? How does that seem weird to you?

She tries to speak but he cuts her off.

Mikey eXtreme: It makes perfect sense to me, Vi. I am the rightful King of the Dark. I should be able to control my surroundings and blend in whenever I need to. I should be the one who is in control.

Mikey closes both of his fists and the room gets darker. The clouds have returned.

Mikey eXtreme: If I want to live in complete darkness I can do so.

He lets his hands open up as the clouds begin to disappear.

Mikey eXtreme: Or, if i want to blend the lines and disguise myself.. I can do just that.

Mikey walks towards his throne, he grabs his crown and quickly places it on his head as he sits down on the throne.

Mikey eXtreme: The first order of business, reclaiming my United States championship belt.

Lightning begins to crash from the skies.

III. Hank Brown, you say?

The scene opens as Hank Brown approaches Mikey eXtreme for an interview.

hank brown: Excuse me, Mikey, can we do a quick interview?

Mikey eXtreme: Uh, who are you?

Not knowing if Mikey is joking around or not, Hank answers.

hank brown: It’s me, Hank Brown, I work for the WCF?

Mikey gives him a strange look.

Mikey eXtreme: Hank Brown, you say?

hank brown: Yes, I’m here to talk about your match at Explosion.

Mikey eXtreme: My what?

Hank is starting to get annoyed.

hank brown: You know, your wrestling match.. At Explosion… for the United States Championship.. With…. Vengeance?

Mikey smiles.

Mikey eXtreme: Hank, you dumb son of a bitch, do you think I could forget someone like you?

hank brown: Well, you do get hit in the head… a lot.

Mikey lets out a sadistic laugh.

Mikey eXtreme: I do, don’t I?

A smile comes across his face.

Mikey eXtreme: Well, was there something you wanted.. Mr. Brown.

hank brown: Well, actu--

Mikey eXtreme: That’s a bad name, man. That’s pretty close to Mr. Shit.

Hank delivers the most blank stare possible.

Mikey eXtreme: Well, continue, Mr. Shit. What did you want to know about Explosion?

hank brown: How do you prepare for this match after losing back to back singles matches against Vengeance.

Mikey eXtreme: The same way I always fucking prepare for a match, Hank. Vengeance’s recent success in that ring against me means nothing. He must have eaten his weight in Irish soda bread because there is an abundance of luck that is running through his veins. Believe me, Vengeance doesn’t have it in him to defeat me again. He just doesn’t.

hank brown: You said the same thing going into Timebomb. How is this going to be any different?

Mikey snarls.

Mikey eXtreme: Do you listen to a word I say?

hank brown: Actually, I listen to every word that you say. It’s my job.

Mikey almost smacks Hank in the back of the head at that comment but somehow finds the power to hold back.

Mikey eXtreme: The luck he has found lately will come to an end. When you put a wolf like me inside that ring, the results will surely follow. Not every hunt can be a success, but in the long run, the wolf will eat.

hank brown: So, you’re saying you're hungry like the wolf?

Mikey eXtreme: Yeah. You could say that, and the only thing that is going to satisfy this hunger is that United States championship. That belt is mine, Hank. I can’t go a day without thinking about it. I can’t go one minute without craving that belt.

hank brown: Is that why you carry that toy version?

Mikey eXtreme: This is no toy, Hank. You need to show some respect to your American hero. All that I’ve done for this country, and that’s the way you’re going to talk to me? All that I’ve done to better this country for our future, and you’re going to ridicule me?

hank brown: What exactly have you done for this country?

Mikey eXtreme: What have I done?! Are you serious, Hank? Did you not witness my reign as the United States champion? I brought this country out of the dark ages, I single handedly made this country the most powerful nation in the world.

hank brown: How exactly did you do that?

Mikey eXtreme: When you look at a nation, what do you look for when trying to rank its power?

hank brown: Well, I guess you would have to look at the country’s leader as well as their military capability.. Their population would weigh heavily into the equation as well.

Mikey eXtreme: And when you look at the United States of Mikey’s America? You see Mikey eXtreme, the most dominant force to ever set foot inside the WCF. You see the greatest wrestler to ever step foot inside a wrestling ring and it’s intimidating. Other nations are represented by what? Look at England? What’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

Some Doctor Who bullshit? Maybe you think of some inferior crown? Hell those idiots can’t even speak the english language correctly, but I’m getting off my point here. Nothing about England screams out at you and puts any fear in your heart. The scariest thing about them? They know Mikey’s America and for the right price, we will swoop in and save their asses.

Russia? You ever meet a Russian that wasn’t some crazy bastard?

hank brown: I can’t say that I have, remember Petrov?

Mikey looks at Hank, angry that he interrupted him.

Mikey eXtreme: I’m not done talking. Don’t talk until I give you permission to do so.

Mikey pauses for a moment before continuing.

Mikey eXtreme: I make this country great just by being alive, Hank. My presence alone is enough to inspire the American. Don’t you want to be the very best, Hank? Like no one ever was?

hank brown: Well, of course I do.

Mikey eXtreme: To catch them is my real test, To train them is my cause.

Hank gives Mikey a confused look. Mikey just laughs in response.

Mikey eXtreme: People look at me, MY American citizens look at me, and they want to be me. They aspire to be just like me. They wish to climb the ranks like I have done and acquire championship gold. They wish to be known as the greatest champion to ever live.

And, is there anything wrong with that? No. Hell, If there was someone like me when I was growing up I’d want to be like me too. If there was someone better than me right now? Yeah, I’d want to be like them. But, who is better than me? Vengeance? Ha. Joey Flash? Ha. #BeachKrew? Don’t make me laugh. Don’t even bother trying to find someone better than me because it’ll never happen.

You look at the all time greats.. You look at the Macho Man Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Ricky The Dragon Steamboat.. You look at the Bret Harts, the Terry Funks.. You can go back as far as you want or you can stay in this era.. You look at the Corey Blacks, the Ice Beckmans, the Jay Prices.. They don’t and will never be able to compare to me. I’m leagues above the rest.

hank brown: Those are some strong words! These are guys that many thought were unbeatable and really made a mark in the WCF and in wrestling all together. Do you think you’re disrespecting them in any way?

Mikey eXtreme: Hank, the only one being disrespected here is me. Time and time again I find myself in some shitty match in the middle or lower portion of the card. What do I do? I go out there and put on the match of the night. I go out there and put on the match of the fucking century. I steal the show.. And how am I rewarded? I’m put in some meaningless tag team match with Vengeance. The guy can’t even lace my boots and I have to carry him?

hank brown: Is that the reason that you guys battled it out, leaving your team high and dry?

Mikey eXtreme: I didn’t leave my team high and dry. Z-Mac was capable of winning that match. Dat Hawt American Darkness would run wild all over this federation. We would go down as the greatest tag team to ever step foot inside a wrestling ring. So no, I didn’t leave my team high and dry.

What I did, was a favor to the WCF fans. Vengeance was ruining that match with his presence and making MY United States championship look like a joke. So I did what any other resectable wrestler should do. I took out the trash just as I will at Explosion.

hank brown: Are you embarrassed by your recent defeats at the hands of Vengeance.

Mikey eXtreme abruptly stands up and walks out.

IV. The Downfall of Vengeance

The scene opens up with Mikey sitting in front of a giant flag. On the ground, at his feet, is a casket which is also decorated with an American flag.

Mikey eXtreme: People ask me all the time, how I’m dealing with losing the most prestigious wrestling championship in America. Well, as you can see, I’m doing just fine.

Mikey is sitting there with a giant Joker-esque type grin and a toy championship over his shoulder.

Mikey eXtreme: You don’t need to worry about me. What you need to worry about is the United States of America. You see, without me as the rightful champion, this country is falling. This country is crumbling before us.

Look around.

This country is not what it used to be. This country is a joke.

And do you know why?

Vengeance.

Vengeance is a joke. Does the world take him seriously? I know I don’t. He got lucky and the world will know that come eXplosion. But, right now? Right now a this country dies at the hands of Vengeance? I am forced to sit here and watch, sit here and wait for my turn to grab my United States title back. I will have to wait to show the world that I am just that much better than Vengeance.

But Vengeance will blame me for the economy. He will blame me for immigration. But is that my problem? I don’t give a fuck about either one of those issues. You know why? Because they’re boring. I can’t be concerned with such boring topics.

Vengeance? He’s boring. So he will love to talk about this shit and that’s fine. Let him revel in the bore. Just like he does in that ring. You know how tiring it is to wrestle him? And not because he’s tiring me out, he’s just so boring. Tell me you don’t fall asleep trying to watch one of his borefests?


Mikey waits for someone to answer him.

Silence.

Mikey eXtreme: Fine, don’t answer me you son of a bitch.

Mikey looks angry.

Mikey eXtreme: Even talk of Vengeance has put Doc to sleep. That’s how boring he is. You want a boring as fuck wrestler as the image of America? No. You want someone like me. Someone eXciting. Someone tough. Vengeance is predictable, he’s no way able to represent this country with any kind of credibility.

But you idiots out there can’t see that. You can’t see that he is destroying the validity of MY United States championship. And it hurts. It really hurts.

Doc finally wakes up.

Doc: What are you going to do about it?

Mikey eXtreme: I’m going to make him regret ever taking that belt from me. I’m going to make him regret ever stepping in that ring with me. I’m going to tear his skin from his body and decorate the apron with his entrails.

This match is going to be bloody.

This match is going to go down as one of the worst and bloodiest battles in WCF history. You will look back at this match and you’ll get sick just thinking about it. You’ll want to forget it, for the sake of your sanity, but you will never be able to rid this from your mind.

That will be Vengeance’s claim to fame.

Not this United States title run. Not his past runs with the Internet title or the Hardcore title.. This, right here. This deadly battle that we’re about to compete it.. All for this beautiful flag right behind me.

Mikey turns his head to look at the flag.

Mikey eXtreme: It is a beauty, alright.

He looks back at the camera, looking over the top of the casket.

Mikey eXtreme: And I bet you’re wondering what this casket is for, huh? I know this isn’t a casket match. I know this won’t play into the match mechanics but after the match? Once Explosion is over with?

Mikey stands up and walks to the casket. He reaches out and pulls the flag draping the casket, nd drapes it over his own shoulder. He laughs as he opens the casket to reveal what appears to be Vengeance lying in the casket.

Mikey eXtreme: He can prepare himself for a war.. But it won’t matter. When I drop nuclear bombs atop there will be no survival.

Time is ticking, Vengeance. Tick… tock.. Tick… tock.

The scene fades.

V. The Rise of the American Way

America, America, God shed His grace on thee..

Mikey is humming the tune of America the Beautiful. Vidalia sits across from him in the back of the van that Freakshow is driving. The van has been painted over to look like a giant waving flag.

Mikey eXtreme: This really is the greatest country on the planet. It’s a shame that Vengeance is destroying it. It’s a shame that everything I’ve done to make it great again is being shit on by Vengeance.

Luckily, The Donald Trump is running for president. He will help with my battle. He will help Make America Great Again. And, really, what more could I ask for? This great country deserves a great leader.

Vengeance? He’s not a great leader. He’s not even a leader. He’s a follower. A sheep. He’s a loser. Unlike The Donald, unlike me. We’re a class above. We’re everything that’s great about this country and that is why people like us need to be viewed as such. We need to be in leading positions.

That was why I chose to endorse Donald Trump. That is why I chose to throw my name around during this highly competitive political season. Vengeance? Well, he chose to try to steal this election just as he stole my United States championship. He chose to throw his name out for nomination as a third party candidate.

Ha!

This United States championship went right to his head. Could you imagine someone as crazy as Vengeance leading MY country? I know I can’t.

That’s why we need to make sure that Donald Trump not only wins this Republican nomination but that he wins the Presidency. Can you imagine if Hilary or Vengeance were to become President of the United States of America? It’s bad enough we have this clown of a President, Barack Obama.

Mikey looks off to the side,

Mikey eXtreme: Did we ever find out if he was even an American citizen?

Mikey turns back to the camera.

Mikey eXtreme: When I was growing up, I remember there was always an abundance of jobs available, and not only that, but jobs actually paid wages that you could live on. America was truly a great place to live and a great place to raise a family.

Things have changed.

Is Vengeance the answer to these problems? There is a simple answer and a complex answer. I’ll give you the simple answer first: No.

The complex answer? Vengeance is barely capable of tying his own shoes. The man has some schmuck whispering in his ear telling him what to do, what to say, how to say it, and god only knows what else the two are whispering to each other.

Is this how you want your country run? Is this the person you want to give control to? You’ve got to be as crazy as Vengeance to think that is a good idea, and I know.. I hope.. That each and everyone of you out there is smart enough to not make that mistake.

The future of America can be bright, but only if each and everyone of you out there does the right thing. Only if each and everyone of you out there votes for Donald Trump. That’s how we make America Great Again, that’s the first step. Once Donald Trump becomes President of the United States of America, and I reclaim my United States championship the country will begin to reach heights that is has never reached before.

It will be at that moment when Vengeance falls back into the background where he belongs. When he starts to contemplate retiring again because he knows that he is nothing. Because he knows that he will never be anything again. His one and only chance at a legit title run was put to an end by the Greatest Living American.. Well, The Second Greatest Living American.

I urge you all to vote for the true Greatest Living American, Donald Trump. Make sure you go to your primaries and get him the nomination. Then make sure you vote to make him our president. Make sure you do all that you can to make America Great Again.

A win for Trump is a win for each and every one of you. I promise you this. I promise that we will reach those heights that we once sat at. The American people deserve better.

This ad has been paid for by “Americans For Trump”

VI. The Toy

We find Mikey trying to polish the toy belt as he sits in his hotel room.

Mikey eXtreme: God, this belt is filthy. I can’t even get the shine right. I need to see myself!

Mikey continues trying to polish the belt until there is a knock at the door.

Housekeeper: Housekeeping!

Mikey gets up and opens the door.

Housekeeper: I’ve been sent to clean the room, is that okay with you?

Mikey eXtreme: Yeah, that’s fine. Hey do you have anything that can polish this?

Mikey shows her the toy title and a smile comes over her face.

Housekeeper: You’re funny, sir!

She starts to tidy up the room, adjusting the chairs around to their original places in the room.

Housekeeper: You have a big party here?

Mikey has been staring at her waiting for his original answer.

Mikey eXtreme: No? You have no polish?

Housekeeper: For a toy?! No!

She giggles.

Mikey eXtreme: What did you just say?

Mikey is growing agitated.

Housekeeper: I have a clorox wipe maybe? If you want to clean your toys.

She giggles again.

Mikey eXtreme: This is no fucing toy.

His tone is deadly serious.

Mikey eXtreme: I fought hard for this championship and I earned the right to be called the champion. Who the fuck are you to make a joke at my expense?

Housekeeper: But sir, didn’t you lose the belt?

Mikey eXtreme: Don’t talk to me about what I’ve done. That’s my belt, and I am the rightful United States champion. And you will refer to me as Champ.

She continues cleaning up the room, taking garbage from the tables and throwing it into a bag. She pulls out a spray from her cart and begins to clean the tables.

Mikey eXtreme: Don’t ignore me. I’m the fucking United States champion. I am the American Dream, I am your American Hero..

This is a problem that America has. People like you who show no respect at all to people who are clearly better than them. People who clearly need to be respected. But, you, you think you’re too good to do that. Well, you’re wrong.

You’re in MY room right now, cleaning up MY mess. Does that make you better than me?

Housekeeper: I never claimed to be better than you, sir.

Mikey eXtreme: Call me Champ.

Housekeeper: I’m sorry, Champ.

Mikey eXtreme: That’s right, I am the champion. You best not forget that. While you’re down there on your hands and knees cleaning up some drink I spilled on the floor, remember that I am sitting here, the greatest wrestler to ever lace up the boots. Remember that the TRUE United States champion is in your presence.

She continues cleaning up.

Mikey eXtreme: Does it make you feel any better about yourself that you’re in my presence? That for once in your shitty terrible life, that you’re so close to greatness? I mean, lets face the facts.. Youre in here cleaning up for me. I can do that myself, but I don’t have to because I know some subhuman is going to come in here and clean up after me.

I could dump your little trash bag out in the middle of this room right now and you know whats going to happen?

You’re going to clean it up. You’re going to pick each and every item that fell out of that bag off that floor and put it right back in the bag.. And you’re going to do it with a smile. You’re going to make sure that this room is spotless. You know why you’re going to do that? Because you have no skills at all, this was the only job you could get in your miserable life and you’ll do whatever it takes to keep it. You’ll do whatever you have to do to make sure that the prick that owns this shitty hotel doesn’t fire you.

Housekeeper: Sir, I mean, Champ, can you please let me get back to work?

Mikey eXtreme: You call this work? This is disgusting. You should be ashamed!

Housekeeper: A job is a job, I’m not trying to impress anyone. I took this job for some extra income for my family. Is that so terrible?

Mikey eXtreme: Extra income for your family, huh? So what you’re trying to say is that your sad excuse for a husband isn’t able to support his family? He would put you to work before he rectified the situation and put food on the table for you? Your husband is not a man, and yet here you are trying to be one yourself.

Housekeeper: That’s very offensive, sir.

Mikey eXtreme: Call me champ! I am the fucking United States Champion for christ’s sake! REFER TO ME AS YOUR FUCKING AMERICAN HERO.

She ignores everything he says as she tries to back out of the room. Mikey walks towards her and pushes the door closed, trapping her in the room with his weight pressed against the door.

Housekeeper: Open the door, sir.

Mikey eXtreme: What did I just fucking tell you? You’re going to call me Champ. You’re going to refer to me as the champion that I am. Are we clear?

Housekeeper: I’m sorry, champ. It will never happen again.

The girl is finally beginning to show some kind of fear and Mikey can fee it.

Mikey eXtreme: You know, not only am I the United States Champion, but I am the KING of Darkness. Have you ever been in the presence of royalty?

She shakes her head, no. Mikey does not move from the door.

Mikey eXtreme: That championship I carry is not a toy. It is a symbol. It is a symbol of my ability, of my talent, and of my dominance here in the WCF. That belt is my key to the top of the WCF, it lets the world know who I am and it signifies everything about me.

My entire run in the WCF depends on this championship, and I have to be put up against Vengeance again? A man that has beaten me out of pure luck in our last few matches? You have got to be kidding me. He does not deserve the spot he is in. He does not deserve to be in that ring with me.. Let alone HOLD MY CHAMPIONSHIP BELT.

But yet, he does. He holds back to back victories over me. He holds my belt. He has made me into the laughing stock of the WCF. I’m nothing to joke about. I never have been and I never will be.. But yet, here I am. The butt of the jokes, the former champion who can’t let go.. Here I am getting disrespected by a fucking cleaning lady in a hotel

You’ve got to be kidding me.

This is beneath me.

Mikey slides down the wall, his sits on the floor infront of the door with his head in his hands.

Mikey eXtreme: I’m better than this, I really am. I am the best at what I do. I held that United States title for damn near 100 days in a row. There’s not many people that can say they held that title for as long as I had. There are not many people in the WCF who could compete with my title run.. But yet here I am.. Without my title. Here I am sitting on the floor of some lousy hotel talking to some cleaning lady.

Housekeeper: It’s okay, champ.

She begins to show some kind of remorse for Mikey.

Mikey eXtreme: It’s not okay. I’m a fucking joke. I couldn’t get the job done and now here I am, the challenger. Here I am going up against Vengeance in a flag match.

Mikey stands up, letting the housekeeper go, and sits on the couch. She does not leave, though. She approaches him and sits down next to him.

Housekeeper: There are worse things you could be doing. You’ll get that belt back, I can tell that it means a lot to you.

The scene fades.

VII. Hank Brown, The Redux

Mikey is approached by Hank Brown backstage at a WCF house show.

hank brown: Mikey! We still need to finish that interview! Do you have time right now?

Mikey looks at him, fighting back the urge to respond with a superkick.

Mikey eXtreme: Sure, go ahead. Ask away, Mr. Shit.

hank brown: Are you embarrassed about losing to Vengeance at Timebomb?

Mikey eXtreme: Of course I am, Hank. What the hell kind of question is that? I am more embarrassed right now than I have ever been in my entire life. My lifes work, so to speak, was winning that title and in the matter of a few moments it was all taken away from me. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that would be?

My entire legacy here in the WCF has been built around that title. And it was taken from me. Everything that I’ve ever worked for here in the WCF was ripped out from under me. Do you have any idea how hard that is to deal with?

No.

You wouldnt know, because you’ve never done anything worth being proud about. You’ve never been anyone. You’ve never had anything. You’re just some shitty broadcast journalist who couldn’t find a real broadcasting job and you lucked into this job. You probably found Seth drunk at some bar or something and he gave you a contract on the spot.

So I understand that you have no comprehension of how painful this feels. I understand that you know nothing of this pain.

hank brown: I’m sorry, Mikey. Let’s move on, shall we? Have you ever been in a flag match before?

Mikey eXtreme: Never one like this. You seen the flagpole match that I had with Bernard Core. A match that set the bar for any and everyone inside the WCF. It was the match of the century as far as I’m concerned, and look who walked out the victor.

I’m undefeated in matches that involve a flag in one way or another.

So if you look at that, and combine it with how impressive I am in that ring.. I’m pretty much guaranteed to win. I have a 100% chance of walking out of that ring holding my United States championship once again.

This match is going to be fun. It’ll be me fighting for what I love the most. That American flag represents so much more than the cloth that it is made out of. That flag represents my country, it represents my ideals, it represents everything that I do in that ring.

I’m not going to let Vengeance humiliate me again. I’m not going to allow him to walk out of that ring with my belt and my flag.

hank brown: And what happens if he does walk out with the belt? Where does that leave you?

Mikey eXtreme: That’s not an option. Hank.It will not happen. It can’t happen. There’s no two ways about it.

hank brown: Do you like Vengeance?

Mikey eXtreme: Wow, Hank, do you just try to ask the dumbest questions you can think of? Of course I don’t like Vengeance. He is everything that I hate. He is boring, he is lucky. There is nothing about him that is even remotely endearing. The man is trying to take what I’ve made and make it his.

He’s trying to ride my wave of success and I don’t like that. I don’t like that one bit.

He thinks he can take America to places that I cannot? He will ruin this country and put all the blame on me because he cannot keep any promise that he makes. He will put all of America’s problems on me instead of working on ways to improve anything.

Don’t worry, Hank, come this Sunday, Vengeance will be dealt with. He will be taken out and destroyed. He will be turned into the laughing stock of the WCF. That is not a role that I want to embrace and I will gladly give it back to him. I will gladly give him back his title of the WCF’s biggest joke.

His reign will be forgotten, his victory over me will be a myth. That’s all I can say on that matter, Hank.

hank brown: Will we see anything different from you to make up for those past defeats? Or will we see the same Mikey that we see each and every week?

Mikey eXtreme: I wouldn’t say it’s the same Mikey each week. I wouldn’t even say it’s the same Mikey each and every second. I’m constantly evolving, constantly looking for ways to improve. I might be the best in the business but that doesn’t mean I can’t improve, that doesn’t mean I can introduce new tools into my game to eliminate my opponents.

You’ll see a more viscous Mikey eXtreme. You’ll see the most angry Mikey eXtreme that you’ve ever seen before. Believe me when I tell you this, Hank. Vengeance will never be the same again. I’m going to do things to Vengeance that you have never thought were possible. I’m going to skin him alive in that match and you can mark my words.

Mikey gets up and walks away as the scene fades.

VII. The Champion Once More

The scene opens with Mikey standing at a podium, his toy championship drapes over his shoulder.

Mikey eXtreme: Today, I am here to tell you a story about myself. It’s a story of the resurgence of a champion. The crown of the United States would be placed back upon the head of the American King.

Mikey lifts a crown from under the podium.

Mikey eXtreme: This crown, right here, is the very crown that was placed upon my head for being the greatest King of all time. It was an honor in itself, but it was at that very moment that I realized that there was more to it.

Mikey pauses, waiting for the crowd to applaud. However, Mikey is sitting in front of hundreds of empty chairs.

Mikey eXtreme: I see that many of you came, and I appreciate that. I really do. I know it’s a bit early, but, this is my celebration. My thanks to each and everyone of my supporters. I did it, again.

I won the United States championship.

I know, it’s just a formality. We just have to wait a few days, but, that belt is as good as mine. That belt that I love more than you could ever imagine, is mine once again. The United States is saved and I am the greatest savior this country has ever seen.

When you look in the history books, you’ll be sure to see my name plenty of times. You’ll see the massive impact that I had on the country. You’ll also see the small little dirt cloud that Vengeance left on the country.. And the dirt cloud that he left on the history of the WCF United States championship.

But, let me not get ahead of myself. You will see this in the history books when they are printed. But, for now, we must celebrate my upcoming victory. Somebody, give me a bottle of champagne!

Mikey waits for someone to bring him a bottle, which Vidalia finally does after a few moments.

Mikey eXtreme: This one, this goes out to the WCF Galaxy. You guys believed in me when no one else did. You cheered me on in my battle with Vengeance, and you watched me grow. I owe this title to you guys.

Vengeance, you were a hell of an opponent. I’m sorry that I had to drop you off the face of the planet like that. I’m sorry that you had to go up against me. I’m sorry that your claim to fame was getting to steal my championship belt.

I’m sorry that I had to do what I did to you. This goes out to you, Vengeance. May you find your way one day, and may you find it in your heart to forgive me for destroying your career and life.

Mikey cracks up the champagne with an explosion of alcohol. He takes a swig with a smile on his face.

Mikey eXtreme: I am the United States Champion, get used to it.

The scene fades.