Post by Stuart Slane on Jul 17, 2016 15:52:57 GMT -5
Monday, July 11, 2016
Reading, Pennsylvania
WCF Tower
WCF Recording Studio
The logo for Wrestling Championship Federation’s OTHER Internet talk show “What’s the Buzz?” appeared on the screen of the viewer’s multimedia device of choice. The words fade away to be replaced by the handsome image of the interview program’s namesake: Bryan Worthy. The former wrestler had on his neon green blazer with the company’s initials on its breast pocket, a white dress shirt, and red necktie. Smiling he addressed the audience.
“Welcome back. Our next guest is one day removed from a victorious defense of the WCF World Championship; a battle that saw him taken to the limit by one of wrestling’s most notorious monsters.”
A pastiche of key spots from Stuart Slane’s match against Oblivion was shown, culminating with Stu dodging the bigger man’s moonsault and locking in his “Knotted Up” submission and getting him to tap. When the clip ended the show cut back to the studio, revealing that sitting across from Buzz was the still battle-weary Slane himself. He had on a slate grey tee shirt with “I Am Prepared” written across the chest in maroon font, and the WCF Championship resting in his lap. He grinned tiredly.
“I still won’t call Oblivion a monster, Mister Worthy. But he is certainly one heck of a dangerous man.”
Bryan nodded, “In the last two weeks you have beaten the two previous WCF World Champions. How high do you rank that accomplishment?”
“As personal achievements go it is a significant one. But in the overall history of WCF,” Slane paused and shook his head, “it’s only the start of something great. I want my reign as World Champion to be unforgettable; the benchmark that all future titleholders aspire to. Winning the WCF Classic; beating two future Hall of Famers; that’s not nearly enough.”
“How about retaining the World Title in Ultimate Showdown?” Buzz wondered aloud, “That has only happened once before.”
“Yes, by Dune. Duplicating that feat would help me establish my credentials, and also rehabilitate some of the WCF Title’s prestige. The belt has changed hands nine times since Dune lost the belt at War last year, and four times in just two months. My goal, my duty, now that I’ve won the WCF World Championship is to hold it as long as possible; through Ultimate Showdown, and beyond.”
“Even through War?”
“It’s my intention,” Stuart replied, “Though I know that feat would take a herculean effort; so much so that even entertaining the possibility this early during my tenure as champ is foolishness. My immediate focus must be carrying the belt through Ultimate Showdown.”
Bryan Worthy brought up a point relevant to that match, “Ultimate Showdown will see all eight of WCF’s champions competing in an elimination match where the order of removal determines what title each wrestler wins. But we have one Slam before the pay per view, and several of those slots are still in play. What are your thoughts on this?”
“This ‘go home’ broadcast of Slam is one of the most significant in its entire run as it will have a huge impact on Ultimate Showdown, which is designed to drastically change the company’s landscape. The Tag titles, the US title, the Television title, the Internet title, and the People’s title will all be contested in Philadelphia Sunday. The only champions who do not have to defend their belts this week are Hardcore Champion Nathan Chambers and myself,” Stuart’s expression darkened, “Much to my regret. I had hoped Seth would have booked me another challenger this week. He ignored my request and instead chose to bestow that privilege to others. I’m not happy about it.”
Stu’s sour puss made it clear he was well past ‘not happy about it’ and far closer to ‘royally ticked off’. Buzz seemed to empathize with the former Scoutmaster, and his next question came with a conciliatory tone.
“You might not have any challengers this week, but there are several up and down the card that could come into play later. Danny Anderson, Lester Parish, Thomas Bates, Gemini Battle, “The Antidote” Spencer Adams, Mikey eXtreme, Henry Spearman, and Captain WCF all have the chance to win gold Sunday, earn a spot in the Ultimate Showdown match, and fight for wrestling’s most coveted award, the belt that you currently hold: the WCF World Championship. What do you think of this list of potential late comers to the TUS field? Do any of the names stand out as either deserving or not?”
“If a challenger wins Sunday that should prove they are deserving. I am especially interested in seeing the outcomes of the People’s and Internet Title matches. Teo- excuse me- Teddy Blaze and Zombie McMorris have held strangle holds on their belts for record lengths of time. It would be quite an accomplishment for their opponents to end their reigns now so close to Ultimate Showdown. If either Spencer Adams or Danny Anderson were able to pull off such an upset they would have to be considered heavy favorites to win Showdown itself; at least if you’re one who believes in momentum. In truth, though; it doesn’t matter if my opponents have been consistent in their dominance or just happened onto a recent hot streak. I want the top wrestlers in WCF competing in Ultimate Showdown, so when I beat them, there is no doubt who the best is.”
A smirk crept onto Slane’s weather-worn face.
“Except ‘The Shine’. He can go pound sand.”
Bryan was surprised by the statement, since Slane and Alpine would be tag team partners on Sunday, “So you’re hoping Brent Alpine loses his Television Title to one of your opponents?”
“Oh no,” Stuart shook his head good-naturedly, “To me. I’m winning the Television Title at Slam.”
There was a few seconds of dreaded dead air to the broadcast. Finally Buzz spoke, “I don’t think the Television Title can be won that way.”
“Are you sure though?” Stuart asked, “You’re a former Television Champion, Mister Worthy. You actually defended your title in one of these tag matches.”
Which is true; you can look it up. You’ll see Bryan confronted with the very same question if you do, asked by a somewhat familiar figure. More on her in a bit.
Slane continued, “Do you know with absolute certainly I can’t win the match by pinning my partner? We’ve seen matches where that’s happened. Granted, it was in WCW, but the precedent still stands. And we both know stranger things have happened in this company, even recently. Wade Moor became World Champion in an unannounced lumberjack match against War winner Jay Omega. Even more recently, Freezer Burn cashed in his guaranteed title shot for belts that weren’t even officially recognized at that time.”
“Neither of those cases involved the particular outcome you have planned,” Bryan pointed out, “But even if you could, don’t you think it would be highly unsportsmanlike to do so? One of your tenets you’ve been preaching in your current run is that a true champion must be prepared to perform at his highest level week in and week out to prove they deserve that title. Turning on your own partner for his belt is the very definition of cutting corners. It’s unsportsmanlike.”
Slane agreed, “Perhaps, but Mister Alpine has brought this mistreatment on himself. The man has simply been unwilling to accept the fact I am the better wrestler. He thinks I cheated to beat him in the second round of the WCF Classic. He initially claimed to have taken part in the backstage assault perpetrated on me at Slam by his swinish Svengali Percy Macro. And he has repeatedly denigrated my accomplishments in the WCF Classic itself by saying he is responsible for them, ignoring my efforts, and the support I received from my friend Jeff Purse.”
“And Joey Flash,” Bryan interrupted.
A chastened Slane conceded the point, “Yes. Him too. Mister Alpine has made it clear he feels I am out of my depth as WCF Champion, and has on more than one occasion condescendingly offered to exchange titles with me. Well, I’m going to accept his proposal… to a point. This Sunday I will be taking Brent Alpine’s Television Championship by pinning him in the main event of Slam. However, the World Title-“
Slane rested his thick, callused hand atop the belt folded in his lap.
“-stays with me. Perhaps if Seth had listened to me, and given me what I wanted; which was another chance to defend my title, Mister Alpine might have had the same opportunity. Not that he has the ability to have capitalized on it. That was proven when I pinned him last month. But at least things would have had the appearance of being more fair.”
Bryan Worthy was dubious, “You realize if you do pin Brent Alpine Sunday, and you’re allowed to keep the Television Title, you will drastically alter the plans for Ultimate Showdown?”
“How, by having seven participants instead of eight?” Stuart countered, “That means nothing. The rules of Ultimate Showdown have always been fluid. The Internet and People’s Titles weren’t originally part of the match. There have been Showdowns with more participants than championships for them to win.”
“But in this case the reverse could be true,” Buzz did the math, “Seven wrestlers would be fighting for eight belts.”
“I thought of that,” Stuart’s shit-eating grin grew more excremental, “That’s why I plan to petition the WCF Booking Committee to unify the belts, and renaming it the Weekly World Title.”
Bryan’s sky blue eyes widened in disbelief, “That would seem to imply this new belt would be defended weekly.”
“Yes.”
“Giving you exactly what you’ve been asking for since you won the World Championship at Blast.”
“Yes,” Stuart leaned forward in his chair, “Can you imagine how much attention WCF would receive if it declared its top prize, the highest award one can achieve in the sport, would be fought for at every single Slam and Pay Per View? You won’t find those kind of stakes in a warehouse in Chicago, Mister Worthy.”
Stuart either winked at this point or suffered one of his rage-induced eye spasms. Either way, the gesture flummoxed the WCF interviewer. He was about to inquire further about his subject’s far-fetched plan when his producer literally spoke in his ear.
“I’m afraid we’re out of time,” Buzz turned and told the audience what he had just been made aware of himself, “I would like to thank WCF World Champion Stuart Slane for sitting down and answering our questions.”
There were the usual concluding pleasantries between host and guest, and the cameras were turned off. Immediately from off stage Circe Cicero appeared. Her arrival seemed to surprise both men, though it was clear Buzz was more put out than Stuart.
“Miss Cicero,” Bryan greeted the Sus-rights activist from his chair, “I heard you joined Stuart’s management team.”
“Yes,” the cherub-faced blonde concurred. She definitely dressed the part as a personal assistant, with a piggy pink satin blouse and navy pencil skirt. A pair of owlish stainless steel eyeglasses rested snug against her broad, truncated nose, “The champ has been invaluable to PETS in pursuing its pro-porcine agenda. Unlike you.”
“That’s only because you never held me at gunpoint,” Slane said as he rose from his chair, giving Circe a pointed look as she attempted to help him strap the belt to his waist.
Circe Cicero, under the alias of Sandy Baggins, indeed once pulled a pistol on Bryan during an interview about her efforts to convince Wrestling Championship Federation to adopt a more pig friendly posture. You can look it up. Unless you accepted the earlier recommendation to research Buzz’s TV Title conundrum, in which case you already have.
“”Stuart, I know the show is over, but I would like to speak to you more about your intention to win the Television Championship Sunday, if you’re available.”
Stuart didn’t answer at first. He waited until he had put the WCF Title in its proper spot he moved to shake Buzz’s hand, “I’m sorry, Mister Worthy, but I’ve spent all the time I plan to on Brent Alpine until Slam.”
Circe’s already humbled expression turned more dour, “I hope that means you’re done gallivanting with former members of his clique.”
Stuart glanced back at his assistant and replied, “Miss Esther? No. I’m seeing her again this week.”
The admission Slane intending to socialize with The Shine’s former helpmate and current quasi-romantic interest drew consternation from Circe and concern from Buzz, but in truth he didn’t care. He quite enjoyed the young lady’s company. Despite their differences in age and upbringing they had a great deal in common, and what interests and beliefs they didn’t share they could be discussed civilly. Stu’s encounters with Esther were a pleasant diversion, and something the beleaguered ex-Scoutmaster looked forward to. She was fun. And as a wise man once told the WCF Galaxy, having fun was the first rule in how to World Champion. You should definitely look that up.
Sunday July 17, 2016
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wells Fargo Arena
The Visitors’ Dressing Room
Stuart Slane was squatting on a bench in front of a bank of lockers; knees drawn apart, shoulders hunched forward, arms extended and hands clasped in front of him. It was still hours before Slam, but he had on his ring gear. The WCF World Title is draped over one shoulder, while the WCF Television Title rested on the other. Grim-faced and humorless, he spoke to the camera.
“Brent Alpine, the jig is up.”
Then he smiled.
“I’ve no intention of pinning you tonight. I never did. As Mister Worthy rightly pointed out earlier in the week, the plan was wrong for a multitude of reasons. Winning the TV title from your partner is against the both written and unwritten rules of the sport, and I am one who does his level best to follow the rules.”
He took the replica TV belt and tosses it into a laundry bin off-screen.
“I don’t even want you to lose your title tonight, Mister Alpine, and not just for the obvious reason that your defeat would be a mark on my own record. No, I want you to keep the belt because I want you in Ultimate Showdown. Based on your comments this past month it’s clear your loss in the WCF Classic wasn’t proof enough that I’m your in-ring superior. TUS is an appropriate venue to drive that point home. Don’t worry though, you won’t be alone in learning that lesson; six other challengers will make that same discovery when I walk out of the ring still WCF World Champion.”
“But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. We do have a tag match this week. It’s the last fight of the last Slam before Ultimate Showdown, and thus the last chance for our opponents to earn a spot for that show’s main event. You, I, and Mister Chambers will have our work cut out for us tonight, as we will be facing three desperate, determined men. If I wasn’t committed to making sure your reign survives the match I’d even say the odds were in their favor. But, as I said, I want you to be Television Champion. Therefore, Mikey eXtreme, Henry Spearman, and Captain WCF will have to be satisfied performing somewhere further down the card at the Pay Per View.”
Stuart’s expression turned contemplative.
“There is always the chance the third member of our team doesn’t share our vision. Nathan Chambers may be stupid enough to try and pin you for your belt, or selfish enough to cost us the match and possibly you your title. He might think that’s good strategy, and that having you out of Showdown increases his chances of winning it. After all, he’s already proven he can beat the toughest of our opponents when he eXposed Mikey eXtreme in their Hardcore Championship Match. Mister Chambers might feel more comfortable facing him again, or if not him Mister Spearman or the Captain. Betraying us might appear to be the more attractive alternative in the long term for a scoundrel like Nathan Chambers.”
Stuart smiled apologetically.
“Unfortunately I cannot control the actions of others. If I could, then this fight would be no contest. The three of us should have no problem defeating the men we’re booked against if all things were equal. But the reason Seth made the match and chose these particular sides in the first place is because they aren’t. He expects conflict and drama from us just as he anticipates our opponents to go all out in an effort to take the Television Title. I can promise you Mister Alpine I will do the same to make sure you keep it. Scout’s Honor. Hopefully Nathan Chambers will do the same, and recognize the truth; that a champion always fights to win. If he truly wants to be the man to move this company forward , if he wants to represent WCF by wearing its highest honor; he should demonstrate the necessary work ethic that comes with it. It won’t be enough to simply talk about ‘Perfection’; he needs to be show it, and dominate those who are lined against him. Those are my intentions. Given the stakes they will need to be yours as well, Mister Alpine.”
Stuart rose from the bench, one hand holding onto his title as he stood to keep it in place.
“As for our opponents, I expect their best tonight. And on face value that appears to be considerable. Despite his underdog status Captain WCF has defeated such notable opponents as Lilith and Sarah Twilight. Henry Spearman debuted in this company as the far more sinister Neforian, and during his first match absolutely demolished me before going on to have a nice run as Television Champion. And Mikey eXtreme is a three time United States Champion and is one of two men who can claim to have a victory over me since the company reopened in May. But these achievements don’t stack up against our own. The Captain’s wins, as enjoyable as they were to witness, were flukes. Henry Spearman’s Television Title reign was cut short by you yourself, and Mister eXtreme’s record is so inflated Macy’s should be floating it down Sixth Avenue this Thanksgiving. None of them are on our level, and, as much as I admire the spunk of Captain WCF and Mister Spearman’s ability to turn his life around in a positive way, they don’t belong in Ultimate Showdown.”
Setting his jaw, Slane spoke of his last opponent Sunday.
“As for The King of eXtreme? I’ll put him in his place without regret. It’s what he deserves, given his arrogance. Really, all that needs to be said about Mikey eXtreme is that the man whose name is synonymous with Hardcore couldn’t wrest that title from a mama’s boy. Meanwhile, when the time came for me to face the same foe, for stakes even higher, I got the job done. I beat Nathan Chambers for the World Title. Mikey eXtreme couldn’t even win the Hardcore strap off him. And I know he has his eXcuses; Lord knows we’ve all heard him whine. But that just sort of drives the point home, doesn’t it? Champions don’t whine when they lose. They don’t lose period. That’s why Mister eXtreme doesn’t deserve to be in sniffing distance of Ultimate Showdown. Let him cool his jets in the tag division and enjoy the fact he has someone with actual talent there to prop him up. Maybe he and Zombie McMorris can beat whatever makeshift team exits the Pay Per View with those belts. His chances are certainly better there than they are trying to win a title on his own.”
Slane removed the belt and set it on the bench beside him.
“That’s not true of us, though, Mister Alpine. We’ve proved we can succeed as solo acts in the WCF Galaxy. Mister Chambers has as well. And now we have to do the same as a unit. All three of us are champions in the Wrestling Championship Federation. That carries with it certain responsibilities. One of those is taking on all comers, and winning even when our titles are not on the line. I know that isn’t true in my case, but I had hoped it would have been. You have goaded me multiple times with offers to ‘trade titles’; hence my ‘rib’ earlier in the week about pinning you. Obviously, I have no interest in exchanging belts; but I would gladly trade title stipulations with you. I know the best way to make my mark as WCF champion is to put it on the line as often as possible. That’s how you build a legacy. However, I was denied that opportunity. So instead I will prove myself another way: by doing my best, doing my duty, and making sure ours is the winning team tonight. Anything less will be a failure in my eyes; one I will take very personally. But that’s not going to happen. We’re going to win tonight because we are simply better than our opposition. Henry Spearman may be a big man, but he cannot match me in raw power. As nimble as Captain WCF is, he doesn’t come close to having your size and athleticism. And while Mikey eXtreme may be motivated more than he has ever been, he doesn’t have the drive or ruthlessness that young Nathan Chambers has demonstrated since joining this company.”
Stuart Slane reached into the one of the pockets of his cargo pants and produced the remote that would shut off the camera, ending his promo.
“How was that?” he asked the room’s sole other occupant.
From her chair out of frame Miss Esther smiled slightly, “Good. I’m glad you really weren’t going to try and take Brent’s belt from him.”
“Like I said, it was a ‘rib’: a joke between wrestlers,” Stuart explained, “I suppose it was a bit of a ‘receipt’ as well; payback for all of his patronizing offers to switch belts with me.”
“Ribs, receipts, you wrestlers have your own language, don’t you?” the blonde ingénue noted as she stood and stretched, “Is there some kind of dictionary I could buy?”
“There must be a ‘mark-to-smart’ translation app available,” Stu joked while removing a duffelbag from his locker, “Check the WCF.com Store.”
“Last time I tried logging in to that my phone caught around a dozen viruses.”
“That shouldn’t come as a surprise, given who our Internet Champion is,” Slane quipped again, this time evoking a laugh from the younger woman.
He liked it when she laughed.
“You should do that more, in your speeches.”
“Promos,” Slane, unable to keep his pedantry in check, corrected.
“Whatever you want to call them. You’re always so earnest, so reserved, when you talk. I think you should show the WCF Galaxy that you have a sense of humor too,” Esther moved to sit on the bench where Slane was working at. He had removed several bands of fabric from his bag, and was in the process of swathing the title belt with them.
“Have Fun,” he paraphrased what she had just said before packing the covered WCF Championship in its carrier.
“Exactly.”
Stuart smiled. It was nice to have someone to talk to who had no agenda related to WCF. Of course, Miss Esther had been part of his rival’s ‘wellness team’, and it was clear she still had some form of feelings for the antipodean dope, but she had largely neglected the topic of all things Alpine when they talked. He trusted her- not enough to fully come clean as to why he sought her out- but that was coming. Soon he would make his full intentions known. Until then, he would enjoy her company, and hope nothing would come along and ruin his plans.
Like, say, a growing attraction to an endearingly innocent, strikingly beautiful girl closer to his daughter’s age than to his own. That could really muck things up for the man who knew his full attention had to be placed on his ultimate objective, one that was far bigger than making sure her old would-be beau won his match tonight, or walking out of WCF Champion at Ultimate Showdown.
History. That was Stuart’s aim. If he had to subject himself to a steady regimen of libido-dampening cold showers in the meantime, the former Scoutmaster would need to Be Prepared to get a little wet.
