Second Half (Talon)Kickoff
Oct 16, 2016 16:53:25 GMT -5
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Joey Flash and "Invincible" Damian Kaine like this
Post by CJ Phoenix on Oct 16, 2016 16:53:25 GMT -5
(Sorry in advance about the lack of coding and whatnot. Still getting used to Tapatalk.)
October 5th San Francisco, California
Ahhh San Fran. It is one of the premier destinations on the west coast. The sky is partly cloudy as a light breeze blows through various parts of the city. Lots of people are traveling by foot and by vehicle. Mainly because it's 12:05PM and lunch breaks are happening. Meanwhile, CJ and Kaiyah are riding one of the trolleys. Each of them possess a milkshake as they sit next to each other. Kaiyah reaches into the back pocket of her light blue short shorts that go with her pink Breast Cancer Awareness shirt and blue Nike shoes with pink check marks and pulls out her cellphone. She spends a few moments looking at it and takes a sip of the milkshake she's holding with her other hand.
Kaiyah: So uhhh...I got some good news and some bad news.
Phoenix: What's the bad news?
Kaiyah: You remember that sniper rifle I brought to the studio for The Skybox?
Phoenix: What happened?
Kaiyah: It went off.
This statement causes CJ to take off his shades and place them on his clean shaven head. It was rare to see him without some kind of head wear, but every once in a while he liked to change it up. He had a confused, yet concerned look on his face as he looked at her.
Phoenix: What?
Kaiyah: Twice.
Phoenix: Dammit, Hardison.
Kaiyah: Hey. Atleast no one got hurt.
Phoenix: From a sniper rifle that went off twice?
Kaiyah: It's not as bad as it sounds. Well...not quite. The first time it went off, I was setting it up in the studio. It's alright though. Nothing broke. Then this jackass bumps into a technician that was hooking up the gun to be remote controlled so I could fire it from a distance. Rifle got moved because of the collision, and then it shot through some wires and caused a fire.
Phoenix: Damn.
Kaiyah: Damn indeed. We put the fire out though, so the studio's still in one pieces.
Phoenix: That's good. So what's the good news?
Kaiyah: Project: Satellite seems to be going well.
Phoenix: Awesome.
Kaiyah: Yep. Didn't hit a single firewall on the beta testing.
Phoenix: Sweet!
Kaiyah: It'll still be a few weeks to months even before it's ready.
Phoenix: That's okay. We have patience, time, and resources.
The trolley stops near the Golden Gate Bridge and the two get off, tossing away their empty cups along the way.
Kaiyah: That's true. Especially with you having this week off to enjoy your birthday.
Phoenix: Came at a great time, too. I can scoop up my meteorite on the way to Hawaii.
Kaiyah: Exactly...wait, what???
She stops completely, causing CJ to stop as well. He makes an instant U-Turn in his silver Nike shoes and faces his lady. He notices the baffled look on her face and immediately begins to explain himself. His tone is slightly softer and a tad slower now.
Phoenix: Welllllll...see what had happened was...it's for the future...and Project: Satellite...which is also in the future.
Kaiyah: You're gonna throw meteorite fragments at people, aren't you?
Phoenix tries to hide a smile, but it is to no avail as the two start walking again.
Phoenix: Maybe once...a day. Or twice. Depends on how I'm feeling.
Kaiyah: Are you gonna dip them in dry ice first?
Phoenix: Like the arrows last year?
Kaiyah: Of course!
Phoenix: Oh my God.
Kaiyah: What?
Phoenix: We could put the meteorite fragments on the arrows and then dip them in dry ice!
Kaiyah: Then it would be like Thanksgiving!
Phoenix: Right! Except without all the lawsuits...Kaiyah!
Kaiyah pouts at CJ playfully.
Kaiyah: Oh don't you act like you didn't catch a case.
CJ holds a finger up at his girlfriend.
Phoenix: ONE! I had one case. You. Had. FOUR!
Kaiyah shrugs.
Kaiyah: Don't matter. Got no jail time, so I'm finishing that double major in May.
Phoenix: Same here. You sure you don't wanna be a Defense Attorney since you're going down that path?
Kaiyah: No thanks. I just want the expertise to be able to loophole us out of major charges. I don't have the patience to deal with hearing "So what you're saying is" every other day. Besides, why won't you be a therapist if one of your majors is Psychology?
Phoenix: because you can't spell any form of "therapist" without "the rapist". No bueno. No thank you. I'll just stick to using the degree for mind games and whatnot.
Kaiyah: Like how you used it to beat that ONE case you had?
Her tone becomes sarcastic.
Kaiyah: It must've been a struggle and a half to survive that single case.
Phoenix: Don't matter. Got the win, and speaking of ONE...
Phoenix looks down and removes the WCF Alpha Title from around his waist, revealing the rest of the pink Breast Cancer Awareness shirt he's wearing. He then places it across his shoulder and begins speaking to it because reasons.
Phoenix: Enjoying San Fran, buddy? I told you that we were gonna do some traveling, especially since I've only got less than eight weeks left with you.
CJ and Kaiyah are about halfway across the bridge as they stop and take pictures to capture the moments of this trip.
Phoenix: Today marks day 38 of my reign as Alpha Champ, and these next 54 days won't be easy ones. Especially since I set up a gauntlet to defend you at Helloween.
Kaiyah: That reminds me, why a gauntlet? Wouldn't it have been easier for only the winner of the upcoming battle royal to be able to fight for your belt at Helloween?
CJ looks at Kaiyah seriously.
Phoenix: Yes. Yes, it would have been, and that's the problem.
Kaiyah: How so?
Phoenix: It wouldn't be enough. Not with this whole Pantheon thing being a thing and whatnot. The Alpha Gauntlet not only further increases the prestige of the title by giving three undercarders a moment in the spotlight to make a name for themselves, it also gives me a chance to face to push myself further than I normally would.
He looks back at the title and then the rest of the bridge ahead of them as the two begin walking once more.
Phoenix: Corey Black mentioned something about requiring six wins in the span of a week in order to contend for the World Title.
Kaiyah: Is that really necessary now to be able to challenge for that title?
Phoenix: I highly doubt it. If that were the case, then the only technical contender between now and next year's King of the Deathmatch tournament would be Odin Balfore.
Kaiyah: I'm guessing because he was the only one to take out at least six people in that match?
Phoenix: Right, which would screw over any and all of the other guys that want a shot at being World Champion.
Kaiyah: Well that would suck.
Phoenix: Like a vacuum. However, that did feed into my idea for the Alpha Challenge.
Kaiyah: Really?
Phoenix: Yeah. In order for me to walk into November with the Alpha belt still in my possession, I will have to knock off three up and coming wrestlers. While it isn't the same as getting six wins in a week, I have to basically win three straight matches without so much as getting a snack break in between.
Kaiyah: That's true.
Phoenix: It won't be enough on its own to prepare me to break into the Main Event of One and take on Corey Black and Joey Flash for the World Title, but it'll at least be a step in the right direction.
Kaiyah: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Phoenix: Thanks, fortune cookie.
Kaiyah smiles.
Kaiyah: You're welcome. Soooooo what if you have to defend the Alpha Championship before Helloween?
Phoenix: Then it would just be another obstacle that I have to get by. One that I WILL overcome.
He looks at his title and then behind him. Kaiyah looks back as well, trying to figure out if there was something behind them that caught CJ's attention. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary. She turned her sight to him with a bit of confusion.
Kaiyah: Did you see something?
Phoenix: Yeah...
He turns his head to match her gaze.
Phoenix: The journey.
Kaiyah: What?
Phoenix: A while back, we were all the way back at the beginning of this bridge. We weren't even close to being where we are now until we started walking one step at a time. And now, here we are, with a past we can look back at and a future we can look forward to.
Kaiyah: Ohhhhh. Okay. I get it now. Being all poetic and whatnot.
Phoenix: It happens from time to time.
The two hold hands and continue walking as the scene fades to black.
October 14th Honolulu, Hawaii
Normally, CJ would be partying it up in Vegas for his birthday. However, since the October 9th Slam was in Hawaii, he decided to head to good ole Honolulu. Despite the fact that he wasn't competing on the 9th, he still bought a front row seat to watch Slam. He paid close attention to the Alpha Title Battle Royal. As the show went on, he continued to study each wrestler that competed. After the show ended, he returned to his hotel which he had purposely booked away from the rest of the roster so that he could celebrate his birthday in peace. Turns out his plan worked and no Hawaiians were harmed during the celebration. Yaaaayyyy! Of course, it was back to work for the Workhorse shortly after. Just two days before his first official title defense, CJ Phoenix is approached by an interviewer moments after an autograph signing. The interviewer was a reporter for a local news station. He asked CJ if he had anything to say about Damian Kaine, the guy he was facing this week. The reporter, a guy of average height dressed in a suit, held the microphone up to the Alpha Champion.
Phoenix: Actually. I have plenty to say about Kaine, and even more to say to him.
Phoenix clutches the Alpha belt that lays on his shoulder.
Phoenix: Last Sunday, he and Adrian Archer were named the co-captains of "Team WCF" or whatever they wish to call themselves. To that, I say congratulations. I also say good luck, because he's gonna need it. The guy has to not only team up with his arch enemy, but also find five other people on the roster AND somehow get them to work together. Not to mention he's facing a close-knit group like the Pantheon with some of the highest stakes ever on the line. If Pantheon is defeated, then it's no title shots for them, and that's great!
CJ pauses and sighs.
Phoenix: However, if they are victorious in the Hellimination match, they can insert themselves into ANY title match at One! That's where we have a bit of a problem. ANY includes the World Title match, and I'd rather not have to face the entire Pantheon at One for said title. I will if I have to, but my chances are better if I don't have to.
He holds the Alpha Title closer to the camera so the camera man can get a better shot of it.
Phoenix: Which brings us back to this Sunday. Damian Kaine's a scrappy cat. He gets knocked down, but he gets back up, and that's good. I respect the kid. He's got hella potential. Plus he has the Brotherhood to lean on. He could develop a symbiotic relationship with them. They make him better, which in turn, makes them better as a whole. Sounds great, right?
The reporter nods.
Phoenix: He's been scratching and clawing and coming so close to victory so many times. That doesn't stop him from giving the next match he's in his all. Again, I respect that. He wants to make up for losing last week by trying to nab some gold this week. I understand that. Sadly, he ran into a bit of bad luck and got me as an opponent in a title match. More importantly, it's a title match with more on the line than he could possibly realize.
Reporter: What do you mean?
Phoenix: Kaine doesn't know this yet, but him losing to me Sunday is actually BETTER for him than if he were to pull off a fluke win.
Reporter: Can you explain that?
Phoenix: Certainly.
CJ places his gold back on his shoulder.
Phoenix: Check this out. If Damian Kaine were to win the Alpha Title, that would mean that he would have to fight a gauntlet match, which he would likely lose...possibly for tactical reasons, and then compete in the Hellimination. He's gonna be exhausted and, most likely, a liability at that point. So him winning a short term battle would be detrimental to his team's chances at success in the long run. Not to mention it would drop the prestige of the Alpha Title as well as its importance. Simply put, if Kaine were to win, everyone, including Damian Kaine, loses.
Phoenix points to himself.
Phoenix: Now, when it comes to yours truly, it's essentially the opposite. Matter of fact, I'm gonna let you guys in on a secret.
Reporter: What's that?
Phoenix: He won't admit to it, but he knows that I'm better off as Alpha Champ than he is. I have an opportunity that NO ONE on the WCF roster has. I am the ONLY one that can get to the Main Event of One via the Alpha Title because I'm now the ONLY one left that can cash it in before the end of 2016. Ever since I won it back in August, my mind has been set on two things: building the value of this belt, and becoming WCF World Champion. Lemme ask you something. You know how many days I've been Alpha Champion?
Reporter: I do not.
Phoenix: 47. That means I'm in the second half of my Alpha Title run. I have 45 more to go, and I sure as hell ain't gonna let Damian Kaine cut my reign short. In fact, this is the part where I go from talking about him to talking to him.
CJ faces the camera lens.
Phoenix: Damian Kaine. This Sunday, I'm gonna do you a favor and stomp the hell out of you. In that ring, you'll be beaten so badly that you'll start to see death as a blessing. You're gonna be BEGGING me to put you out of your misery with a Talon Kick.
His voice begins to sound angrier as his sentences progress. He also removes the belt from his shoulder and holds it up next to his face.
Phoenix: You. Will not. Take this. From me! This title means more to me than it will EVER mean to anyone else. Most people look at this belt and they see it as something they can leech off of. Something they can put on their resume so that others can't say that they never won gold in the WCF. They want the Alpha Title to carry them to the next level. Not me. This championship belt I'm holding isn't just about me having a chance to main even One. It's about making this a title worth having. A title that actually makes the champion feel like they accomplished something when they hold it in the air. This isn't like any of the other titles where if I lose it, I can challenge for it again. The Alpha Champion gets ONE run with the belt. There are no rematch clauses. No one will be able to call themselves a two time WCF Alpha Champion. So many people try to downplay this title and talk about how it's not worth their efforts when they're just upset that they can never win it. They know it's worth more than they claim it to be because they know its champion is worth more than they claim him to be.
He lowers both his title and his voice back to a calm tone.
Phoenix: One more thing, Damian. Don't feel too bad when I beat you. It's nothing personal. It has nothing to do with the Brotherhood. You and I are traveling on very different paths that, at least for the time being, are going in the same direction. Both of us have bright futures ahead of us. We also have intentions on facing the Pantheon in the future with something on the line. When you step into the ring with those guys, they're gonna beat you up, kid. They're gonna kick you while you're down and gang up on you through things like social medial on the way there. You're just another member of the endless job squad to them. Though I don't have the same opinion as them, I'm gonna make your life miserable in that ring so that you can know what you're going up against at the end of the month. This Sunday, you're gonna find out why I'm not losing this title. You'll see that my will to hold this belt is greater than your desire to take it. Learn from this loss that you're about to take so that you can be prepared for Helloween. That is your path...
He looks at his Alpha Title one more time.
Phoenix: And this is mine.
He then looks at the reporter.
Phoenix: Thanks for the interview.
CJ walks off as the scene ends.
October 15th Honolulu, Hawaii
We find ourselves at the Stan Sheriff Center this time. At the main entrance are the main protagonists of this story. A shirtless CJ Phoenix stares down the front entrance with his Alpha Title around his waist, covering the top of his Hawaiian themed shorts. Next to him stands Kaiyah, who's dressed up like a Hula dancer.
Phoenix: Aloha, Stan the Sheriff.
Kaiyah: Alo...honey the stadium isn't a sheriff.
Phoenix: So you're telling me that Stan isn't a sheriff?
Kaiyah: Even if that were the case, it would technically be the Sheriff Stan Center.
CJ ponders this for a moment.
Phoenix: Yeah you're right. Either way. We'll be in there tomorrow, and I'll be defending my Alpha Title.
Kaiyah: Nervous?
Phoenix: Little bit. It's all good though.
Kaiyah: All goodie.
Phoenix: Exactly, but it's not just that.
Kaiyah: What else is it?
Phoenix: I have targets on my back now. People that I know are gunning for me. I'm not scared of them. It just means I'm gonna have to put my guard up even higher and start having eyes in the back of my head. It's an uneasy feeling, but I like it. Means I'm making progress.
Kaiyah: That you are. Think the Brotherhood's gonna interfere?
Phoenix: Doubt it. No reason for them to show up. Creates a distraction and hurts the team.
Kaiyah: Makes sense.
Phoenix: That means it's just me and Kaine tomorrow. Once I beat him, I'm gonna stick around and see just how good my opponents for the gauntlet really are.
The camera zooms in on the Alpha Title before fading to black one last time.
October 5th San Francisco, California
Ahhh San Fran. It is one of the premier destinations on the west coast. The sky is partly cloudy as a light breeze blows through various parts of the city. Lots of people are traveling by foot and by vehicle. Mainly because it's 12:05PM and lunch breaks are happening. Meanwhile, CJ and Kaiyah are riding one of the trolleys. Each of them possess a milkshake as they sit next to each other. Kaiyah reaches into the back pocket of her light blue short shorts that go with her pink Breast Cancer Awareness shirt and blue Nike shoes with pink check marks and pulls out her cellphone. She spends a few moments looking at it and takes a sip of the milkshake she's holding with her other hand.
Kaiyah: So uhhh...I got some good news and some bad news.
Phoenix: What's the bad news?
Kaiyah: You remember that sniper rifle I brought to the studio for The Skybox?
Phoenix: What happened?
Kaiyah: It went off.
This statement causes CJ to take off his shades and place them on his clean shaven head. It was rare to see him without some kind of head wear, but every once in a while he liked to change it up. He had a confused, yet concerned look on his face as he looked at her.
Phoenix: What?
Kaiyah: Twice.
Phoenix: Dammit, Hardison.
Kaiyah: Hey. Atleast no one got hurt.
Phoenix: From a sniper rifle that went off twice?
Kaiyah: It's not as bad as it sounds. Well...not quite. The first time it went off, I was setting it up in the studio. It's alright though. Nothing broke. Then this jackass bumps into a technician that was hooking up the gun to be remote controlled so I could fire it from a distance. Rifle got moved because of the collision, and then it shot through some wires and caused a fire.
Phoenix: Damn.
Kaiyah: Damn indeed. We put the fire out though, so the studio's still in one pieces.
Phoenix: That's good. So what's the good news?
Kaiyah: Project: Satellite seems to be going well.
Phoenix: Awesome.
Kaiyah: Yep. Didn't hit a single firewall on the beta testing.
Phoenix: Sweet!
Kaiyah: It'll still be a few weeks to months even before it's ready.
Phoenix: That's okay. We have patience, time, and resources.
The trolley stops near the Golden Gate Bridge and the two get off, tossing away their empty cups along the way.
Kaiyah: That's true. Especially with you having this week off to enjoy your birthday.
Phoenix: Came at a great time, too. I can scoop up my meteorite on the way to Hawaii.
Kaiyah: Exactly...wait, what???
She stops completely, causing CJ to stop as well. He makes an instant U-Turn in his silver Nike shoes and faces his lady. He notices the baffled look on her face and immediately begins to explain himself. His tone is slightly softer and a tad slower now.
Phoenix: Welllllll...see what had happened was...it's for the future...and Project: Satellite...which is also in the future.
Kaiyah: You're gonna throw meteorite fragments at people, aren't you?
Phoenix tries to hide a smile, but it is to no avail as the two start walking again.
Phoenix: Maybe once...a day. Or twice. Depends on how I'm feeling.
Kaiyah: Are you gonna dip them in dry ice first?
Phoenix: Like the arrows last year?
Kaiyah: Of course!
Phoenix: Oh my God.
Kaiyah: What?
Phoenix: We could put the meteorite fragments on the arrows and then dip them in dry ice!
Kaiyah: Then it would be like Thanksgiving!
Phoenix: Right! Except without all the lawsuits...Kaiyah!
Kaiyah pouts at CJ playfully.
Kaiyah: Oh don't you act like you didn't catch a case.
CJ holds a finger up at his girlfriend.
Phoenix: ONE! I had one case. You. Had. FOUR!
Kaiyah shrugs.
Kaiyah: Don't matter. Got no jail time, so I'm finishing that double major in May.
Phoenix: Same here. You sure you don't wanna be a Defense Attorney since you're going down that path?
Kaiyah: No thanks. I just want the expertise to be able to loophole us out of major charges. I don't have the patience to deal with hearing "So what you're saying is" every other day. Besides, why won't you be a therapist if one of your majors is Psychology?
Phoenix: because you can't spell any form of "therapist" without "the rapist". No bueno. No thank you. I'll just stick to using the degree for mind games and whatnot.
Kaiyah: Like how you used it to beat that ONE case you had?
Her tone becomes sarcastic.
Kaiyah: It must've been a struggle and a half to survive that single case.
Phoenix: Don't matter. Got the win, and speaking of ONE...
Phoenix looks down and removes the WCF Alpha Title from around his waist, revealing the rest of the pink Breast Cancer Awareness shirt he's wearing. He then places it across his shoulder and begins speaking to it because reasons.
Phoenix: Enjoying San Fran, buddy? I told you that we were gonna do some traveling, especially since I've only got less than eight weeks left with you.
CJ and Kaiyah are about halfway across the bridge as they stop and take pictures to capture the moments of this trip.
Phoenix: Today marks day 38 of my reign as Alpha Champ, and these next 54 days won't be easy ones. Especially since I set up a gauntlet to defend you at Helloween.
Kaiyah: That reminds me, why a gauntlet? Wouldn't it have been easier for only the winner of the upcoming battle royal to be able to fight for your belt at Helloween?
CJ looks at Kaiyah seriously.
Phoenix: Yes. Yes, it would have been, and that's the problem.
Kaiyah: How so?
Phoenix: It wouldn't be enough. Not with this whole Pantheon thing being a thing and whatnot. The Alpha Gauntlet not only further increases the prestige of the title by giving three undercarders a moment in the spotlight to make a name for themselves, it also gives me a chance to face to push myself further than I normally would.
He looks back at the title and then the rest of the bridge ahead of them as the two begin walking once more.
Phoenix: Corey Black mentioned something about requiring six wins in the span of a week in order to contend for the World Title.
Kaiyah: Is that really necessary now to be able to challenge for that title?
Phoenix: I highly doubt it. If that were the case, then the only technical contender between now and next year's King of the Deathmatch tournament would be Odin Balfore.
Kaiyah: I'm guessing because he was the only one to take out at least six people in that match?
Phoenix: Right, which would screw over any and all of the other guys that want a shot at being World Champion.
Kaiyah: Well that would suck.
Phoenix: Like a vacuum. However, that did feed into my idea for the Alpha Challenge.
Kaiyah: Really?
Phoenix: Yeah. In order for me to walk into November with the Alpha belt still in my possession, I will have to knock off three up and coming wrestlers. While it isn't the same as getting six wins in a week, I have to basically win three straight matches without so much as getting a snack break in between.
Kaiyah: That's true.
Phoenix: It won't be enough on its own to prepare me to break into the Main Event of One and take on Corey Black and Joey Flash for the World Title, but it'll at least be a step in the right direction.
Kaiyah: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Phoenix: Thanks, fortune cookie.
Kaiyah smiles.
Kaiyah: You're welcome. Soooooo what if you have to defend the Alpha Championship before Helloween?
Phoenix: Then it would just be another obstacle that I have to get by. One that I WILL overcome.
He looks at his title and then behind him. Kaiyah looks back as well, trying to figure out if there was something behind them that caught CJ's attention. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary. She turned her sight to him with a bit of confusion.
Kaiyah: Did you see something?
Phoenix: Yeah...
He turns his head to match her gaze.
Phoenix: The journey.
Kaiyah: What?
Phoenix: A while back, we were all the way back at the beginning of this bridge. We weren't even close to being where we are now until we started walking one step at a time. And now, here we are, with a past we can look back at and a future we can look forward to.
Kaiyah: Ohhhhh. Okay. I get it now. Being all poetic and whatnot.
Phoenix: It happens from time to time.
The two hold hands and continue walking as the scene fades to black.
October 14th Honolulu, Hawaii
Normally, CJ would be partying it up in Vegas for his birthday. However, since the October 9th Slam was in Hawaii, he decided to head to good ole Honolulu. Despite the fact that he wasn't competing on the 9th, he still bought a front row seat to watch Slam. He paid close attention to the Alpha Title Battle Royal. As the show went on, he continued to study each wrestler that competed. After the show ended, he returned to his hotel which he had purposely booked away from the rest of the roster so that he could celebrate his birthday in peace. Turns out his plan worked and no Hawaiians were harmed during the celebration. Yaaaayyyy! Of course, it was back to work for the Workhorse shortly after. Just two days before his first official title defense, CJ Phoenix is approached by an interviewer moments after an autograph signing. The interviewer was a reporter for a local news station. He asked CJ if he had anything to say about Damian Kaine, the guy he was facing this week. The reporter, a guy of average height dressed in a suit, held the microphone up to the Alpha Champion.
Phoenix: Actually. I have plenty to say about Kaine, and even more to say to him.
Phoenix clutches the Alpha belt that lays on his shoulder.
Phoenix: Last Sunday, he and Adrian Archer were named the co-captains of "Team WCF" or whatever they wish to call themselves. To that, I say congratulations. I also say good luck, because he's gonna need it. The guy has to not only team up with his arch enemy, but also find five other people on the roster AND somehow get them to work together. Not to mention he's facing a close-knit group like the Pantheon with some of the highest stakes ever on the line. If Pantheon is defeated, then it's no title shots for them, and that's great!
CJ pauses and sighs.
Phoenix: However, if they are victorious in the Hellimination match, they can insert themselves into ANY title match at One! That's where we have a bit of a problem. ANY includes the World Title match, and I'd rather not have to face the entire Pantheon at One for said title. I will if I have to, but my chances are better if I don't have to.
He holds the Alpha Title closer to the camera so the camera man can get a better shot of it.
Phoenix: Which brings us back to this Sunday. Damian Kaine's a scrappy cat. He gets knocked down, but he gets back up, and that's good. I respect the kid. He's got hella potential. Plus he has the Brotherhood to lean on. He could develop a symbiotic relationship with them. They make him better, which in turn, makes them better as a whole. Sounds great, right?
The reporter nods.
Phoenix: He's been scratching and clawing and coming so close to victory so many times. That doesn't stop him from giving the next match he's in his all. Again, I respect that. He wants to make up for losing last week by trying to nab some gold this week. I understand that. Sadly, he ran into a bit of bad luck and got me as an opponent in a title match. More importantly, it's a title match with more on the line than he could possibly realize.
Reporter: What do you mean?
Phoenix: Kaine doesn't know this yet, but him losing to me Sunday is actually BETTER for him than if he were to pull off a fluke win.
Reporter: Can you explain that?
Phoenix: Certainly.
CJ places his gold back on his shoulder.
Phoenix: Check this out. If Damian Kaine were to win the Alpha Title, that would mean that he would have to fight a gauntlet match, which he would likely lose...possibly for tactical reasons, and then compete in the Hellimination. He's gonna be exhausted and, most likely, a liability at that point. So him winning a short term battle would be detrimental to his team's chances at success in the long run. Not to mention it would drop the prestige of the Alpha Title as well as its importance. Simply put, if Kaine were to win, everyone, including Damian Kaine, loses.
Phoenix points to himself.
Phoenix: Now, when it comes to yours truly, it's essentially the opposite. Matter of fact, I'm gonna let you guys in on a secret.
Reporter: What's that?
Phoenix: He won't admit to it, but he knows that I'm better off as Alpha Champ than he is. I have an opportunity that NO ONE on the WCF roster has. I am the ONLY one that can get to the Main Event of One via the Alpha Title because I'm now the ONLY one left that can cash it in before the end of 2016. Ever since I won it back in August, my mind has been set on two things: building the value of this belt, and becoming WCF World Champion. Lemme ask you something. You know how many days I've been Alpha Champion?
Reporter: I do not.
Phoenix: 47. That means I'm in the second half of my Alpha Title run. I have 45 more to go, and I sure as hell ain't gonna let Damian Kaine cut my reign short. In fact, this is the part where I go from talking about him to talking to him.
CJ faces the camera lens.
Phoenix: Damian Kaine. This Sunday, I'm gonna do you a favor and stomp the hell out of you. In that ring, you'll be beaten so badly that you'll start to see death as a blessing. You're gonna be BEGGING me to put you out of your misery with a Talon Kick.
His voice begins to sound angrier as his sentences progress. He also removes the belt from his shoulder and holds it up next to his face.
Phoenix: You. Will not. Take this. From me! This title means more to me than it will EVER mean to anyone else. Most people look at this belt and they see it as something they can leech off of. Something they can put on their resume so that others can't say that they never won gold in the WCF. They want the Alpha Title to carry them to the next level. Not me. This championship belt I'm holding isn't just about me having a chance to main even One. It's about making this a title worth having. A title that actually makes the champion feel like they accomplished something when they hold it in the air. This isn't like any of the other titles where if I lose it, I can challenge for it again. The Alpha Champion gets ONE run with the belt. There are no rematch clauses. No one will be able to call themselves a two time WCF Alpha Champion. So many people try to downplay this title and talk about how it's not worth their efforts when they're just upset that they can never win it. They know it's worth more than they claim it to be because they know its champion is worth more than they claim him to be.
He lowers both his title and his voice back to a calm tone.
Phoenix: One more thing, Damian. Don't feel too bad when I beat you. It's nothing personal. It has nothing to do with the Brotherhood. You and I are traveling on very different paths that, at least for the time being, are going in the same direction. Both of us have bright futures ahead of us. We also have intentions on facing the Pantheon in the future with something on the line. When you step into the ring with those guys, they're gonna beat you up, kid. They're gonna kick you while you're down and gang up on you through things like social medial on the way there. You're just another member of the endless job squad to them. Though I don't have the same opinion as them, I'm gonna make your life miserable in that ring so that you can know what you're going up against at the end of the month. This Sunday, you're gonna find out why I'm not losing this title. You'll see that my will to hold this belt is greater than your desire to take it. Learn from this loss that you're about to take so that you can be prepared for Helloween. That is your path...
He looks at his Alpha Title one more time.
Phoenix: And this is mine.
He then looks at the reporter.
Phoenix: Thanks for the interview.
CJ walks off as the scene ends.
October 15th Honolulu, Hawaii
We find ourselves at the Stan Sheriff Center this time. At the main entrance are the main protagonists of this story. A shirtless CJ Phoenix stares down the front entrance with his Alpha Title around his waist, covering the top of his Hawaiian themed shorts. Next to him stands Kaiyah, who's dressed up like a Hula dancer.
Phoenix: Aloha, Stan the Sheriff.
Kaiyah: Alo...honey the stadium isn't a sheriff.
Phoenix: So you're telling me that Stan isn't a sheriff?
Kaiyah: Even if that were the case, it would technically be the Sheriff Stan Center.
CJ ponders this for a moment.
Phoenix: Yeah you're right. Either way. We'll be in there tomorrow, and I'll be defending my Alpha Title.
Kaiyah: Nervous?
Phoenix: Little bit. It's all good though.
Kaiyah: All goodie.
Phoenix: Exactly, but it's not just that.
Kaiyah: What else is it?
Phoenix: I have targets on my back now. People that I know are gunning for me. I'm not scared of them. It just means I'm gonna have to put my guard up even higher and start having eyes in the back of my head. It's an uneasy feeling, but I like it. Means I'm making progress.
Kaiyah: That you are. Think the Brotherhood's gonna interfere?
Phoenix: Doubt it. No reason for them to show up. Creates a distraction and hurts the team.
Kaiyah: Makes sense.
Phoenix: That means it's just me and Kaine tomorrow. Once I beat him, I'm gonna stick around and see just how good my opponents for the gauntlet really are.
The camera zooms in on the Alpha Title before fading to black one last time.
