Chances

[Thomas Uriel Bates]

Scene I “Relax”
Amoskeag Falls, Merrimack River – Manchester, New Hampshire

The cold waters of the Merrimack River rushed quickly to the waterfall, bringing to the location plenty of fish. Many a visitor, and resident, of New Hampshire are quick to toss their line in the water, and they are rarely disappointed. Today, one such visitor was WCF Television Champion Thomas Uriel Bates.

The large wrestler leaned back in a chair while holding his rod in one hand, and a Churchill sized cigar in the other. He seemed rather at rest, wearing summer clothes such as khaki trousers and a black and grey striped shirt with the top two buttons undone. Occasionally he would check his rod, then draw a smoke from his cigar before exhaling and leaning back in the chair. A radio sat on a side table next to him, silently playing the music of Hank Williams, currently playing “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

He needed the rest. The Ultimate Showdown is not the most relaxing match, as it pits the very best the WCF has to offer against each other. Champion after Champion enters the ring, and one by one they are eliminated. One can enter the match with the highest title, and leave with the lowest. Likewise, one can enter the match with the lowest tile, and leave with the highest.

That is exactly what happened this year. Two competitors entered the Ultimate Showdown as Tag Team Champions, the lowest titles in the WCF hierarchy. They both came out with the top two titles. Thomas Uriel Bates walked away with the WCF Television Championship, while Gemini Battle walked away with the WCF World Championship. Although he was second place, Bates could not have been much happier.

Gemini Battle, sometimes known as Grayson Pierce, was his friend. They’ve hit some rough patches, especially lately, but what friendship doesn’t go through tough times? What brotherhood doesn’t struggle from time to time? The two fought hard against each other at Ultimate Showdown, and Gemini Battle came up ahead. It was a testament of their friendship that Thomas Uriel Bates was not unhappy, but rather quite proud in his friend’s accomplishment.

Gemini Battle deserved to win. He deserved to bask in the glory of his Ultimate Showdown victory. Last year Bates was on such a role that he quickly pursued Dune for the World Title, but this time he was content to let his friend enjoy it for some time. Bates would come calling for the belt, even Gemini knew this, but he will let his friend celebrate first.

Gemini Battle will be going around with his new title. Bates has his new title, and will soon defend it week after week, but for now; Thomas Uriel Bates will simply sit here, smoke his Romeo Y Julieta Churchill cigar, listen to Hank Williams, and enjoy a day of fishing.

Scene II “Chances”
Merrimack River – Hooksett, New Hampshire

Most people would be upset right now, after technically losing such a big main event at one of the biggest pay per views in the entire WCF. Especially after having the WCF World Championship once again slip through their fingers. Most people would be angry, or depressed. They would be full of rage, or despair. They would quickly be willing to throw down their complimentary title in a renewed quest for one more shot at the one title that when everything’s said and done, is the only one that really matters.

Lord knows that Thomas Uriel Bates was such a man. After coming so close to defeating Dune at Ultimate Showdown, he had to have one more match to settle the questions. He had to throw away his United States Championship, and focus only on the top prize. Last year he was blinded by the thirst to prove himself the best in the company.

This year, he didn’t mind as much. He was happy for his friend Gemini, and he was content with walking away with the second greatest title in the WCF; the Television Championship. So rather than blindly tossing away the title, he wore it proudly over his massive shoulders.

The giant wore white trousers and a light blue shirt which flapped in the wind as he drove the antique Runabout boat at top speed on the Merrimack River. The wind rushed across his face, flowing through his short hair and his medium sized beard. The wrestler who always seemed to have a lot on his mind, a mission to save the world, for once seemed relaxed.

On most days, he would be quite upset with the WCF Camera crew, usually viewing them as annoying pests, but today he seemed to welcome them. As he slowed the boat down, he reached behind him in a cooler and took out a few cold beers, handing them to the cameraman and the soundman. He took one himself and cracked it open, having a seat at the driver’s chair and slowly navigating the river as the cameras rolled.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Here we are, nearly a week after Ultimate Showdown where once again the World Title eluded me. You would expect me to be upset, especially after last year, but I’m not. I’m actually very happy for my good friend Gemini Battle. Although I will eventually come after his title, I have no problem letting him enjoy the fruits of his hard labor.

That means that for the time being, I will be defending the WCF Television Championship. It is the first tile I held here in the WCF, actually anywhere. It holds a very special place for me, and I am proud to carry it again.

The last time I held this title, I carried it through the Trios Tournament, and very nearly carried it into the Ultimate Showdown. A bitter rivalry with Howard Black put my sixty-four day reign to an end, but in that time I faced many a legend in this business. I held this tile against the likes of Odin Balfore, Bobby Cairo, ICE Beckman, Joey Flash, Steve Orbit, Jonny Fly, Corey Black, and so much more. It was with this title around my waist that I lead the Dark Riders Gang MC to topple empires.

This belt is stained in my blood, sweat, and tears. I have poured everything I had into this title. I have pushed myself to the limit every single week for this belt. From the moment that I sent the Grime of WCF home with a Bates’ Boot, to the day that I lost it to Howard Black, I put my all into this belt.

Look at who has held this title. Not just people who went on to be some mid-card hero, but legends in the WCF. Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers, people perhaps screwed out of the Hall of Fame by Seth Lerch. People who have gone on to win the WCF World Championship. The very best this company has to offer. The Television Championship isn’t just some title that just anyone can pick up for some mediocre career, it is the stepping stone to greatness.

This Sunday, Jordan Ciserano will have a chance to see if he has what it takes to join the ranks of legends in this company. We will see if he can outdo his previous history, and actually walk away with the gold. He has held some other company’s titles, but they are nothing compared to what the WCF has to offer. They are nothing compared to the WCF Television Championship. Jordan knows this, which is why he has made it his life’s mission to win the Championship here.

To do that though, he has to climb the mountain. Unlucky for him, I’m that mountain. To get to the World Championship, you have to get through me. You have to beat me. You have to defeat me. You have to take this title from me.

The title is here for Jordan to come get. If he wants it, it’s right here. He just has to take it from me. Show me that he has what it takes to be a legend. This is his second chance. He may feel good now, and that’s great, but it’s a completely different feeling once you step in that ring.

All the lights will be on you Jordan, to see if you make it past me, or if you fall just another victim. The media will be crawling all over, taking their pictures, filming their video, all trying to see just which one of us will make it out of that match with the gold. Which one of us will soon be knocking on Gemini’s door with a challenge.

You may have improved since your last run her, Jordan, and you’re still improving, but I’m afraid that just won’t be enough for you. If you’re going to expect to win this match, you’re going to have to put every single thing you have into it.

I need to see you fight. I need to see you work for this belt. Sweat for it, shed tears for it, and most importantly, will you bleed for it? Jordan, you seem like a nice guy, but are you really ready for what it takes to get this belt from me?

If you want my belt, Jordan, you’re going to have to earn it.

Bates smiles at the cameraman as he pushes the lever forward, accelerating the boat to top speed as the camera soon loses focus and cuts off.

Scene III “Remembrance”
Comfort Inn – Manchester, New Hampshire

Last year they did the unthinkable. They defeated team after team and became the first ever WCF Trios Champions. Gemini Battle, George “Gonzo” Murdock II, and Thomas Uriel Bates. All three members of the Dark Riders Gang MC, and all three the team that became known as the Defilers of Logic.

They defeated the team of Big Train, Louis Bartkowski, and Lazer Johnson, but who hasn’t? Nearly every team that year had an easy first. The Defilers of Logic easily destroyed the competition that day, securing Bates’ Television Title, and advancing in the tournament.

Then came the first real challenge. The Poondock Saints, Bobby Cairo, Kaz Mazy, and Odin Balfore. Now one half of the super-stable known as Imperium. No one expected the Defilers of Logic to walk away with that title, and it was anyone’s guess as to which of these legends would take home Bates’ title. The Defilers did exactly what their name implies; they defied logic and defeated the Poondock Saints. Crushing the momentum of half of Imperium, and shocking the world.

It was supposed to be over now. They next faced The Vapor Kings; Natural “ICE” Beckman, Joey Flash, and Zombie McMorris. The other half of Imperium, and a sure bet for advancement after this match. Bates himself crushed the Imperium dream when he sent Joey Flash into the mat with The Badge, claiming another amazing victory for the Defilers of Logic.

Week after week they had been proving themselves against the very best the WCF had to offer. Week after week Thomas Uriel Bates had a special target painted on his back, holding the title that everyone wanted, maybe even wanted more than the World Title at that time. Yet he held on to it, he kept it, he defied all logic.

No one expected their luck to keep going, not with the Old Pantheon; Jonny Fly, Steve Orbit, and Corey Black. It was supposed to be over; Two and a Half Black Men were supposed to be the first Trios Champions, and one of them was supposed to be the new Television Champion. Once again, Thomas Uriel Bates, George “Gonzo” Murdock II, and Gemini Battle defied all logic.

They won, took home the Trios Championship, and Bates held on to his Television title. A brotherhood, all united, and all defying the odds. Now one of them was the World Champion, and Thomas Uriel Bates was happy for his friend.