Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2011 14:23:16 GMT -5
{{It's Monday afternoon. The sunlight flashes in your eyes causing you to squint and readjust your vision. Upon the horizon you see a vintage 1974 Cadillac Eldorado cruising down a busy Pennsylvania freeway. You recognize that this isn't just any Eldorado. With its convertible top, cherry red paint, chrome wheels and Connecticut plates with the "VOTE4CAIRO" vanity, this Eldorado can belong to only one man. Your vision is suddenly yanked forward by unseen forces, which place you inside the vehicle and give you a point-blank view of that man behind the wheel: WCF Hall of Famer Bobby Cairo!
Bobby's shoulder-length black hair is slicked back and his beard is neatly trimmed. He's wearing black sunglasses and a blue suede shirt with the top few buttons left undone. Your vision pans to the passenger's seat where you see that WCF Hardcore Champion Phillip Baines is seated. Phil's wearing a white tank top. His eyes are closed and his long black hair is flowing in the breeze, which is extra strong with that convertible top down. Phil's head is tilted back on the headrest of his seat and he appears to be quite relaxed. Phil begins speaking in a calm tone of voice while his eyes remain closed.}}
Phillip Baines: "There's so much preparation that goes into every match. So much pressure and tension, I can practically taste it. Of course that pressure and tension doesn't belong to me, I barely know the meaning of those words, but it seeps out of my opponents like gas from a leaky main. I enjoy moments like these, Bobby. The moments away from the rigors of training and the hysteria of a live wrestling show, all of the pomp and fanfare that goes with it. There's nothing like a nice drive on a summer day to put things into perspective."
{{Bobby nods in response. As Bobby begins speaking he keeps his eyes firmly focused on the road ahead of him.}}
Bobby Cairo: "It's the calm before the storm, my friend. Soon enough we'll be at The Giant Center and the media blitz will begin. Don't worry about that though. I've made sure that there's only one interview on your docket today, a true WCF.com exclusive."
{{Phil opens his eyes, cocks his head to the side and glances at Bobby.}}
Phil: "Hank?"
Bobby: "Bingo."
Phil: "Hank's not so bad. I can deal with him. It's just that..."
{{Phil lets out a sigh.}}
Phil: "I know I'll have to answer the same old questions about the same old issues that people have been talking about for the last week. For one thing, everybody wants to know whether I'm going to cash in my World Title shot tonight. That I've actually grown accustomed to, so it's not a big deal anymore. I like to keep people guessing on that one. It's the other question that annoys me."
Bobby: "Why did you attack D-Day?"
Phil: "Bingo."
Bobby [with his eyes still locked on the road]: "You know, you and I still haven't talked about that, Phil. I didn't ask you about it because, well, I figured you have your reasons for doing what you did, but it seems to me like we should clear the air. I mean don't you think that's a good idea?"
Phil: "What needs to be said about it, Bobby? Business is business. I took care of business at Slam. What I did to D-Day was a revenge beatdown, plain and simple. You know how it goes in this business, man."
{{Bobby wrinkles his brow and lets out a sigh of his own.}}
Bobby: "Yeah I know how it goes, Phil. I know better than most. It's just that what you did left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I know that D-Day teamed with Oblivion. I know that it pissed you off, but I really don't think he had any ill-natured intentions. Deruty's the World Champion but you have to remember that he's still a kid in this business, just like you. Oblivion approached him with an opportunity and he seized it. You can't take these things personally."
Phil: "That's not what you said to me last week, Bobby. You said "the powers that be will leave you straddled to a cactus with needles stuck in your sack and a prick that's spilling blood." That's a direct quote from you, Bobby. I did what I did to send a message. Nobody's gonna fuck with Phillip Baines. Not unless they want to feel my wrath like D-Day did on Slam."
{{Bobby finally takes his eyes off the road for a split-second to look at Phil, before returning his focus to the road.}}
Bobby: "I was talking about the establishment, man! I was talking about the puppet masters that pull the strings behind the scenes. You didn't strike a blow against them, Phil. You gave them all of the ammunition that they need to go after you, to single you out, to make you a target with a bigger bull's-eye on your back than you could ever imagine. I've been there. I know what it's like."
{{Phil appears unfazed. In fact he looks as calm and relaxed as ever.}}
Phil: "Let them bring it on then, Bobby. For so long as I have a breath in my body and a beat in my heart, I will stand and fight against all who threaten this life and career that I've built."
Bobby: "It's more than that, Phil. What you're doing is going to catch up with you on a personal level. You--"
{{Bobby shakes his head and looks as if he's collecting his thoughts, trying to find the right words to say.}}
Bobby: "You can't just go around hurting people outside of your matches, Phil."
{{Bobby taps the steering wheel with his left hand. He has a sorrowful expression on his face.}}
Bobby: "That shit catches up with you. Believe me I know. Back in the day I beat Lawnmower Jones's wife Lonnie so badly that she slipped into a coma and ended up dead. There's not a day that goes by that I don't feel guilty about it."
Phil: "Lonnie was a lawnmower, Bobby. Lawnmower Jones was a nut who married a lawnmower."
Bobby: "Nevertheless, it's a touchy subject for me. You attacked the World Champion last week, Phil. More specifically, you attacked a man who considered you a friend and vice versa. There's consequences that come with that."
Phil: "There's consequences that come with crossing Phillip Baines."
Bobby: "Understood, but where do you draw the line? Will you attack anyone who looks at you cock-eyed? Will you attack me one of these days?"
{{A sheepish look comes across Phil's face and he casts his eyes downward.}}
Phil: "Of course not. I would never do that to you, Bobby."
Bobby: "All I'm saying is that you have to think these things through, especially in the heat of the moment. Always consider the consequences of your actions before you act. Otherwise you end up making the kinds of life-altering mistakes that I made, and believe me when I say that Lonnie was just the tip of the iceberg."
Phil: "Well what's done is done and I'm certainly not going to back down now."
Bobby: "I'm not asking you to. You brought the fight to D-Day and soon enough he's going to bring it to you. It's in his nature. Surrender is not an option for either of you, regardless of who's right or wrong. I just hope that in the future you will consult with me before you make any major decisions."
{{You hear the sound of a cell phone ringing. Baines glances down at his phone and looks at the name on the display. You can see it too. It says "Drew Rosenhaus", the name of Phil's agent.}}
Phil: "Hang on, Bobby. Drew's calling."
{{Phil hits the answer button. After he begins speaking you notice that you're able to hear the entirety of his conversation.}}
Phil: "Hey, Drew! How's it going, man? What's up?"
Drew Rosenhaus: "Phil! Great news! That new T-shirt of yours is sold out!"
{{Phil's eyes light up.}}
Phil: "No shit? They just started selling them at the WCF Webstore a few days ago!"
Drew: "I know! The suits are thrilled, Phil! I just got off the phone with them and they told me they're ordering a second printing as we speak! You've done a hell of a job, buddy! You might be public enemy number one with those fans in Oley, but you're making waves across the WCF Universe!"
Phil: "So what's my cut of the loot?"
Drew: "Five-hundred thousand."
{{Phil smiles, a look of immense satisfaction showing on his face.}}
Phil: "Nice! And remember, I only accept payment in gold bullions. I'm down with Ron Paul so you know how I roll."
Drew: "Don't worry about a thing, Phil. Payment is being arranged as we speak!"
Phil: "Excellent. Alright, man, thanks for the update. I'll talk to you later, ok?"
Drew: "You bet! I'll give you a call when it's finished."
Phil: "Thanks again, man. Bye."
{{Phil disconnects the call.}}
Bobby: "Good news?"
Phil: "Yeah, my T-shirt sold out!"
Bobby: "No shit? That was fast. You should sign the one you gave me. It'll be a collector's item."
Phil: "Like you need the money?"
Bobby: "It's not about the money, it's about the prestige, just like being a champion. Speaking of which, with all of this other stuff going on I don't want you to lose sight of the fact that you have a Hardcore Title defense tonight against a kid who's hungry for his first taste of gold in WCF."
Phil: "Believe me, Bobby. I am not a man who loses sight of the task at hand, but this is 2011 and a young man has to be able to think proactively and multi-task if he wants to make something of himself."
Bobby: "You are something, Phil. You're a champion. Don't forget it and don't take it for granted."
Phil: "Don't worry about it, Bobby. I got this shit on lockdown tonight and you know this to be true."
Bobby: "Yes I do."
{{Bobby floors the gas pedal and just as suddenly your vision is yanked from the Eldorado and sent skyward into the atmosphere above the freeway. You can see the vision of Hershey, Pennsylvania's Giant Center emerge upon the horizon as Bobby and Phil travel ever closer to it.}}
---------------------------------------
{{Hank Brown is wearing a neatly pressed midnight blue suit and a dark red tie, looking as sharp as ever as he holds a microphone and stands in front of a large backdrop with the Ultimate Showdown logo prominently displayed upon it. Phillip Baines suddenly walks up next to Hank and the two of them exchange small talk. Phil is wearing his trademark Technicolor wrestling singlet and silver moon boots and his long black hair is tied back into a ponytail. The Hardcore Championship belt is slung over Phil's left shoulder, with the shiny gold faceplate facing outwards. After Hank and Phil finish exchanging pleasantries, Hank gives the cue for his cameraman to begin rolling tape.}}
Hank Brown: "Hello to everybody out there in the WCF Universe! I'm your pal Hank Brown and joining me at this time is the reigning WCF Hardcore Champion Phillip Baines! Phil, you have a big match tonight at Ultimate Showdown where you'll be defending your Hardcore Championship against "The Hero" Ryan Blake. We'll get to that in a little bit, but I do have a few other things that I want to ask you about first."
Phil: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. What a surprise, Hank. I bet I can guess what you're going to ask me about, too."
{{Phil rolls his eyes. Hank raises an eyebrow before proceeding with his question.}}
Hank: "Well, of course, everyone has been talking about the fact that you have the opportunity to cash in your World Title shot tonight against the winner of the HUGE six-person, elimination-style main event match where of course the World Title will be at stake. The likes of D-Day, Kaylyn James Evans and Roy Speede have all verbally sparred with you during their promos this week. You've even been warned not to cash in your title shot tonight by some of the participants of the match--"
{{Phil interjects, not with words but with a chuckle and a smirk.}}
Hank: "For your part you've remained defiant, stating that you'll cash in your title shot whenever you please and that no one can stop you from doing so."
Phil: "Of course I have, Hank. Would you expect anything less from me?"
Hank: "No sir, and the questions remains: Is tonight the night? Will you cash in your title shot against the winner of the Ultimate Showdown main event?"
Phil: "I haven't made a decision about that yet, Hank. It depends on how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking about, you know? I have a title defense of my own that I have to focus on tonight. I can't make any assumptions about my match, much less the main event, even though I do feel supremely confident that I will successfully defend my title tonight. Think about it this way: What if Blake has a moment of brilliance in which he gouges my eye out with a rusty screwdriver or punctures my kidney with a nailgun? Under those circumstances I would hardly be in any condition to cash in my World Title shot, now would I? I know that none of that is likely to happen, but you can never take anything for granted in this sport. I'll tell you what though, Hank, when I do make my decision you'll be the first to know."
{{Phil winks at Hank, who grins ear-to-ear like a Cheshire cat.}}
Hank: "Great! Another scoop for the Hankster! Take that, Callahan!"
{{Hank punches the air with his fist in celebration. Like a true pro, Hank quickly composes himself, straightens his tie and jacket, and proceeds with his line of questioning.}}
Hank: "I have to ask about another subject that's been making headlines. Last week on Slam you attacked D-Day and Oblivion following their tag team match. It was a vicious and quite frankly shocking attack. I don't think that anybody saw it coming, especially those two men. Why did you do it, Phil? You've been at odds with Oblivion for months, that I understand, but why D-Day? Why do him like that?"
Phil: "Means, motive and opportunity, Hank. What I did to D-Day and Oblivion on Slam might have looked like an act of aggression to you and the WCF Universe, but it was more accurately an act of self-preservation, a healing tonic to cure what ailed me. I live life by a simple mantra: If you cross me then I will kill you. If you double-cross me then I will maim and torture you before I kill you. As far as I'm concerned my rivalry with Oblivion has, for all intents and purposes, been placed on indefinite hiatus. He's no longer in my thoughts and after I finish this sentence he'll no longer be in my words. D-Day is a much different story. My campaign of terror against Donald Deruty is just beginning and it will not end until WCF's American Hero meets his end."
{{Hank nods his head.}}
Hank: "A bone-chilling glimpse into the thought process of WCF's reigning Hardcore Champion. D-Day will certainly need eyes in the back of his head tonight. Speaking of the Hardcore Championship--"
{{Baines slaps the polished gold face of the championship belt with his hand.}}
Hank: "You will be defending that belt tonight against Ryan Blake. Blake had some strong words for you in a promo that aired just last night, and during my interview with him earlier today. Among other things he warned you not to underestimate him. He also accused you of not showing him respect and being worried about everyone on the roster other than him, including names such as Obama, Oprah, Bill Cosby and Adam Sandler."
Phil: "I wasn't aware that they were employed by WCF, but please continue, Hank."
Hank: "Well, is that a fair assessment on Blake's part? Are you overlooking Blake and focusing too much on your burgeoning rivalry with D-Day and the possibility of cashing in your World Title shot rather than placing your focus on your Hardcore Title defense against Blake?"
Phil: "Listen, Hank, I know that Blake feels like I'm ignoring him. I know that he feels like he doesn't have my undivided attention, but the reality is that I've shown Blake respect ever since it was announced that I would be defending my title against him at Ultimate Showdown. It hasn't been respect in the form of praise or commendation, but I've shown him the respect of doing my homework on him. I give that kind of respect to each of my opponents. Frankly, he hasn't earned anything more from me than that basic professional courtesy. It's not my problem if he doesn't like what I have to say about him, or if he doesn't like the fact that I don't spend more time talking about him. When you started interviewing me, you didn't ask about Blake. You asked about my World Title shot. You asked about my attack on D-Day. It's human nature. Look at the Ultimate Showdown prediction thread on the WCF.com forum. Everybody thinks that I'm going to annihilate Blake. It's not because they're overlooking Blake, it's because they know what I know: They know that Ryan Blake is a lamb being led to slaughter against The Young Lion!
"If Blake wants me to respect him as a wrestler, as a fighter and as a man then he'll have to earn that respect during our match tonight. Quite honestly I do not believe that he's capable of that. Nothing that he's done in his WCF career makes me believe that he can hang with me tonight, much less beat me. I'll take it a step further than that: Ryan Blake cannot do this work, this hardcore wrestling work that I've turned into a veritable artform, Hank. He's not wired for it. He doesn't have the heart. He's not willing to make the necessary sacrifice. He's not willing to bleed for his craft, but I will make him bleed for it. It's a lesson in violence that he will have to learn if he's ever going to become a man. That might sound cocky, arrogant, egotistical and the like, but it's not. I'm not overlooking Blake in the slightest. It's to Blake's detriment that I have been focusing on him this week. He's been my only focus in training and he'll be my only focus when I step into the ring tonight. I've read his bio. I've watched his promos. I've watched his matches. I know what he does. I know his tendencies, I know that he cracks under pressure. I know that he doesn't like being pushed. Well I've proven time and time again that I push harder than anybody in this business. I've pushed men into early retirement and even into that great big wrestling ring in the sky. You know that, Hank. You've been covering my career from Day One."
{{Hank tries his damnedest to choke back a grin, but he can't quite do it.}}
Hank: "Yes I have and I know what you're capable of as well as any opponent that you'll step into the ring with, which actually brings me to my next question: Do you really know what Ryan Blake is capable of? As he said during his promo, he's new to the business but he's no rookie. He's won matches and held gold. He also claims to be a master of psychological warfare. Is it possible that he's getting into your head, making you think that you'll have an easy time of things tonight so that he can catch you offguard?"
{{Phil stares blankly at Hank for a moment before he begins laughing uproariously. Phil's doubled over with laughter. Phil's laughing so hard that the Hardcore Championship belt slides off his shoulder. Phil alertly grabs the belt and saves it from hitting the hard floor below. Finally Phil is able to compose himself. He brushes his long hair back with his hands and clears his throat.}}
Phil: "Good lord, that's some comedy, Hank. Coming from you it's actually funny. Coming from Blake it just grinds my gears like an old pick-up truck that needs to be scrapped. If Blake's goal is to get under my skin then he can consider himself successful in that regard. Every word that the kid says screams "douchebag", do you know what I mean? He was doing himself a favor by keeping a low profile and staying out of the public eye. Then he had to go and run his mouth like the little punk that he is. That was the stupidest thing that he could have done. He's fueled my fire. He's made it absolutely impossible for me to overlook him. How could I? I do not like Ryan Blake. I don't like the way that he looks. I don't like the sound of his voice. I don't like his dopey smile. I don't like his ego. Every word that he says makes me want to bash his face in with a microphone until the blood flows like a river, the same as I did to D-Day, but then I want to do so much more than that.
"I want to grind a cheese grater on Blake's face, peel that skin right off and make him feel what it's like to be in a real fight for his life. If he wants to talk like a tough guy then he should at least look the part! Then I want to ram his head into the steel ring post. Then I want to slam metal folding chairs and kendo sticks about his head and body. Then I want to give him a lesson in submission wrestling by tearing his ligaments and tendons with leglocks and armbars. Blake considers himself a master of psychological warfare? I'll show him that real warfare means stepping into the ring with Phillip Baines.
"Let me tell you something else: If Blake's counting on the element of surprise to carry him to victory against me then he's in deeper doo-doo than even I could have imagined, Hank. There's absolutely nothing in his arsenal that he can surprise me with. Not only do I desire to inflict severe harm upon his person, but I'm better than him in every aspect of wrestling, fighting, brawling, scrapping and plain old throwing down. I've made myself a force to be reckoned with, not just in this company, not just in professional wrestling, but throughout combat sports. Fight fans talk about Phillip Baines in the same breath as men such as Manny Pacquiao and Anderson Silva. They talk about how each of us are stone cold killers in our respective sports and disciplines. They speculate about what it would be like if we met in a true-to-life dream fight.
"Does anybody talk about Ryan Blake like that? Does anybody talk about Ryan Blake period? While I've been building my legacy in WCF, Ryan Blake has barely made a blip on the radar screen. He's won matches and held gold? Where has he done that? Oh that's right, a quote/unquote "minor wrestling league", according to his bio. This isn't the minor leagues, Blake. This is the big-time. This is Wrestling Championship Federation. This is Ultimate Showdown, live pay-per-view television broadcast worldwide. This is Phillip Baines. Your past success in the minor leagues might have gotten your foot in the door, but it won't mean shit when you're in the ring with me. I'm not Joe Blow or Johnny Jabroni. I'm a certified killing machine with victories over the biggest and baddest men in this business. That's my legacy. What's your legacy? Oh that's right, you beat Shadow in your WCF debut. Congratulations!"
{{Baines breaks out the old "slow, sarcastic hand-clap" while sneering into the camera.}}
Phil: "You beat Shadow, then you were handed a Television Title shot against Kaylyn James Evans and promptly lost."
Hank: "Not to interrupt, but Blake claims that he only lost that match because he let Kaylyn win."
Phil: "Oh really? How's that, Hank? He thought she would spread her legs for him if he let her win?"
Hank: "He claims that he didn't want to end up in prison for murder."
{{Phil's face goes blank again. He can't even bring himself to dignify that remark.}}
Hank: "He also claims that he didn't really want the Television Title because it's a joke."
Phil: "Yeah, I can see how he would feel that way considering that the highest title that he's achieved in his career is a championship in a minor league company."
{{Phil, quite literally, facepalms. Hank doesn't know exactly how to react so he just keeps holding the microphone in front of Phil's face until he's ready to start talking again.}}
Phil: "Ryan Blake is a pathological liar. He thinks that he's playing mind games with his opponents, but he's really playing mind games with himself. That's a deadly game to play when I'm the man that you're walking into the ring against. If you don't have your head screwed on straight then I'll knock it off your shoulders in a heartbeat."
{{Baines snaps his fingers for emphasis.}}
Phil: "Blake talks about how he let Kaylyn win. Well I watched that match and it didn't look like he let her win, it looked like he got his ass kicked! You were trying to win. You wanted the title. Don't bullshit me, Blake, and don't bullshit yourself!"
{{Phil raises his hand and looks like he's about to swat the camera, as if it were Ryan Blake. Hank does his best to veer out of harm's way while maintaining his professionalism.}}
Hank: "Um, Blake also stated that he's not scared by your impressive win/loss record. He says it doesn't mean that you're going to beat him and it doesn't make you any better than him."
Phil: "Of course it doesn't, Hank... if you live in the Bizarro World!"
{{Phil shoots an incredulous stare into the camera.}}
Phil: "I've never been a loser, but if I were a loser I would probably be telling myself the same kind of nonsense. I would be telling myself that wins and losses don't matter. I would be telling myself that my record does not define who I am as a wrestler. Of course that's an illogical position to take, one that's born out of the frustration of suffering one defeat after another. Winning is the entire point of competing. Winning is how you become a champion, and if you're not trying to become a champion then I have no earthly idea why you're in WCF. Once again, Blake is full of it. He's a competitor. He competed for the Television Title and he lost. There's no shame in that, but there is shame in making ridiculous excuses for losing. The only thing more ridiculous than Blake's excuses is the fact that he honestly seems to believe that he's been booked against me in a Hardcore Title match based on merit. I guess nobody let Blake in on the not-so-secret secret. Blake is not a challenger for my Hardcore Championship. He's fresh flesh for my feast. He's a tasty morsel for me to devour. He's easy prey for a Young Lion with a voracious appetite, much like a gazelle in the African wilderness.
"This isn't going to be a title match, this is going to be a bloodbath. Surely you've heard the murmurs, Blake. Surely you can hear those chants that taunt you during your sleep. You know the ones that say "Phil's gonna kill you! Phil's gonna kill you! Phil's gonna kill you!" Now I might not be the most popular guy in WCF based on my recent actions, but let's be honest: The WCF fans cannot get enough of Phillip Baines. That's why my T-shirt sold out in record time. That's why I've been booked against an opponent who I'm certain to destroy in highlight reel fashion. When I put my opponents through flaming tables, that puts money into the pockets of management. That's why you're here, Blake. Not because you deserve a title shot based on your performance, but because you're the perfect fall guy. Creeping Death doesn't want to jeopardize the safety of anybody important on the roster by booking them against Baines, but he'll damn sure sacrifice a scrub like Ryan Blake, somebody who will not be missed when his brief and undistinguished career has been violently and hatefully ended by Baines. Who is Ryan Blake? The world will never know. Blake will be just another skull on my mantel, just another name added to my list of victims.
"If he's being honest with himself, even Ryan Blake knows that he's a dead man walking. That's why he disappeared until the day before our match. He was hoping that I would forget about him, forget about our match. It became apparent to Blake that his strategy had failed when I pledged to end his career in my last promo. That's when he started in with his little psychological warfare tactics, his taunts, his Batman costume. These are acts of pure desperation from a kid who's trying to convince himself that he'll still have brain activity after I'm finished with him tonight. Like I said before, he should have kept his mouth shut and accepted his fate like a man. Yes, I would have killed him anyway, but I would have made it quick and relatively painless, like pulling the plug on a brain-dead relative who has no hope for recovery. By drawing my ire, Blake has changed the entire complexion of this match. He's made it personal. He's given me incentive to make him suffer. Quite frankly I should thank him for that."
{{Baines smirks as he vigorously nods his head. Hank looks both puzzled and a tad fearful.}}
Phil: "This match was going to be just another ho-hum night at the office for me, but now I'm really going to enjoy my work. This match is going to be a true showcase for the Hardcore Division and my dominance as Hardcore Champion. It's more than a mere one-fall match with a title belt on the line. It's a matter of life and death. I've bled for the Hardcore Championship. I've killed for the Hardcore Championship, literally. I've felt a man's life slip away in my hands. Do you have any idea what that feels like, Blake? No, you do not. You could not because you've never been in that situation. You've never had to take another human being's life to spare your own, to protect that which is rightfully yours. You'll find out what it's like to fight for your life tonight when you have a man-eating lion breathing down your neck, just biding his time, waiting for the right moment to pounce and rip your goddamn throat out."
{{Baines glares into the camera with a fire in his eyes while taking several deep, angry man breaths, which are audible over the mic. Hank hesitates before he slowly pulls the mic away from Phil, clearly not wanting to turn Phil's wrath against him.}}
Hank: "Well, the Hardcore Champion certainly looks motivated! Thank you, champ, and good luck in your match!"
{{Phil does not acknowledge Hank, he just keeps on glaring into that camera, his expression unchanging. Hank gives the cut signal to the cameraman and skedaddles out of there, as does the cameraman himself. Phil just stands there glaring, glaring like a man who is seething with rage and poised to strike.}}
Bobby's shoulder-length black hair is slicked back and his beard is neatly trimmed. He's wearing black sunglasses and a blue suede shirt with the top few buttons left undone. Your vision pans to the passenger's seat where you see that WCF Hardcore Champion Phillip Baines is seated. Phil's wearing a white tank top. His eyes are closed and his long black hair is flowing in the breeze, which is extra strong with that convertible top down. Phil's head is tilted back on the headrest of his seat and he appears to be quite relaxed. Phil begins speaking in a calm tone of voice while his eyes remain closed.}}
Phillip Baines: "There's so much preparation that goes into every match. So much pressure and tension, I can practically taste it. Of course that pressure and tension doesn't belong to me, I barely know the meaning of those words, but it seeps out of my opponents like gas from a leaky main. I enjoy moments like these, Bobby. The moments away from the rigors of training and the hysteria of a live wrestling show, all of the pomp and fanfare that goes with it. There's nothing like a nice drive on a summer day to put things into perspective."
{{Bobby nods in response. As Bobby begins speaking he keeps his eyes firmly focused on the road ahead of him.}}
Bobby Cairo: "It's the calm before the storm, my friend. Soon enough we'll be at The Giant Center and the media blitz will begin. Don't worry about that though. I've made sure that there's only one interview on your docket today, a true WCF.com exclusive."
{{Phil opens his eyes, cocks his head to the side and glances at Bobby.}}
Phil: "Hank?"
Bobby: "Bingo."
Phil: "Hank's not so bad. I can deal with him. It's just that..."
{{Phil lets out a sigh.}}
Phil: "I know I'll have to answer the same old questions about the same old issues that people have been talking about for the last week. For one thing, everybody wants to know whether I'm going to cash in my World Title shot tonight. That I've actually grown accustomed to, so it's not a big deal anymore. I like to keep people guessing on that one. It's the other question that annoys me."
Bobby: "Why did you attack D-Day?"
Phil: "Bingo."
Bobby [with his eyes still locked on the road]: "You know, you and I still haven't talked about that, Phil. I didn't ask you about it because, well, I figured you have your reasons for doing what you did, but it seems to me like we should clear the air. I mean don't you think that's a good idea?"
Phil: "What needs to be said about it, Bobby? Business is business. I took care of business at Slam. What I did to D-Day was a revenge beatdown, plain and simple. You know how it goes in this business, man."
{{Bobby wrinkles his brow and lets out a sigh of his own.}}
Bobby: "Yeah I know how it goes, Phil. I know better than most. It's just that what you did left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I know that D-Day teamed with Oblivion. I know that it pissed you off, but I really don't think he had any ill-natured intentions. Deruty's the World Champion but you have to remember that he's still a kid in this business, just like you. Oblivion approached him with an opportunity and he seized it. You can't take these things personally."
Phil: "That's not what you said to me last week, Bobby. You said "the powers that be will leave you straddled to a cactus with needles stuck in your sack and a prick that's spilling blood." That's a direct quote from you, Bobby. I did what I did to send a message. Nobody's gonna fuck with Phillip Baines. Not unless they want to feel my wrath like D-Day did on Slam."
{{Bobby finally takes his eyes off the road for a split-second to look at Phil, before returning his focus to the road.}}
Bobby: "I was talking about the establishment, man! I was talking about the puppet masters that pull the strings behind the scenes. You didn't strike a blow against them, Phil. You gave them all of the ammunition that they need to go after you, to single you out, to make you a target with a bigger bull's-eye on your back than you could ever imagine. I've been there. I know what it's like."
{{Phil appears unfazed. In fact he looks as calm and relaxed as ever.}}
Phil: "Let them bring it on then, Bobby. For so long as I have a breath in my body and a beat in my heart, I will stand and fight against all who threaten this life and career that I've built."
Bobby: "It's more than that, Phil. What you're doing is going to catch up with you on a personal level. You--"
{{Bobby shakes his head and looks as if he's collecting his thoughts, trying to find the right words to say.}}
Bobby: "You can't just go around hurting people outside of your matches, Phil."
{{Bobby taps the steering wheel with his left hand. He has a sorrowful expression on his face.}}
Bobby: "That shit catches up with you. Believe me I know. Back in the day I beat Lawnmower Jones's wife Lonnie so badly that she slipped into a coma and ended up dead. There's not a day that goes by that I don't feel guilty about it."
Phil: "Lonnie was a lawnmower, Bobby. Lawnmower Jones was a nut who married a lawnmower."
Bobby: "Nevertheless, it's a touchy subject for me. You attacked the World Champion last week, Phil. More specifically, you attacked a man who considered you a friend and vice versa. There's consequences that come with that."
Phil: "There's consequences that come with crossing Phillip Baines."
Bobby: "Understood, but where do you draw the line? Will you attack anyone who looks at you cock-eyed? Will you attack me one of these days?"
{{A sheepish look comes across Phil's face and he casts his eyes downward.}}
Phil: "Of course not. I would never do that to you, Bobby."
Bobby: "All I'm saying is that you have to think these things through, especially in the heat of the moment. Always consider the consequences of your actions before you act. Otherwise you end up making the kinds of life-altering mistakes that I made, and believe me when I say that Lonnie was just the tip of the iceberg."
Phil: "Well what's done is done and I'm certainly not going to back down now."
Bobby: "I'm not asking you to. You brought the fight to D-Day and soon enough he's going to bring it to you. It's in his nature. Surrender is not an option for either of you, regardless of who's right or wrong. I just hope that in the future you will consult with me before you make any major decisions."
{{You hear the sound of a cell phone ringing. Baines glances down at his phone and looks at the name on the display. You can see it too. It says "Drew Rosenhaus", the name of Phil's agent.}}
Phil: "Hang on, Bobby. Drew's calling."
{{Phil hits the answer button. After he begins speaking you notice that you're able to hear the entirety of his conversation.}}
Phil: "Hey, Drew! How's it going, man? What's up?"
Drew Rosenhaus: "Phil! Great news! That new T-shirt of yours is sold out!"
{{Phil's eyes light up.}}
Phil: "No shit? They just started selling them at the WCF Webstore a few days ago!"
Drew: "I know! The suits are thrilled, Phil! I just got off the phone with them and they told me they're ordering a second printing as we speak! You've done a hell of a job, buddy! You might be public enemy number one with those fans in Oley, but you're making waves across the WCF Universe!"
Phil: "So what's my cut of the loot?"
Drew: "Five-hundred thousand."
{{Phil smiles, a look of immense satisfaction showing on his face.}}
Phil: "Nice! And remember, I only accept payment in gold bullions. I'm down with Ron Paul so you know how I roll."
Drew: "Don't worry about a thing, Phil. Payment is being arranged as we speak!"
Phil: "Excellent. Alright, man, thanks for the update. I'll talk to you later, ok?"
Drew: "You bet! I'll give you a call when it's finished."
Phil: "Thanks again, man. Bye."
{{Phil disconnects the call.}}
Bobby: "Good news?"
Phil: "Yeah, my T-shirt sold out!"
Bobby: "No shit? That was fast. You should sign the one you gave me. It'll be a collector's item."
Phil: "Like you need the money?"
Bobby: "It's not about the money, it's about the prestige, just like being a champion. Speaking of which, with all of this other stuff going on I don't want you to lose sight of the fact that you have a Hardcore Title defense tonight against a kid who's hungry for his first taste of gold in WCF."
Phil: "Believe me, Bobby. I am not a man who loses sight of the task at hand, but this is 2011 and a young man has to be able to think proactively and multi-task if he wants to make something of himself."
Bobby: "You are something, Phil. You're a champion. Don't forget it and don't take it for granted."
Phil: "Don't worry about it, Bobby. I got this shit on lockdown tonight and you know this to be true."
Bobby: "Yes I do."
{{Bobby floors the gas pedal and just as suddenly your vision is yanked from the Eldorado and sent skyward into the atmosphere above the freeway. You can see the vision of Hershey, Pennsylvania's Giant Center emerge upon the horizon as Bobby and Phil travel ever closer to it.}}
---------------------------------------
{{Hank Brown is wearing a neatly pressed midnight blue suit and a dark red tie, looking as sharp as ever as he holds a microphone and stands in front of a large backdrop with the Ultimate Showdown logo prominently displayed upon it. Phillip Baines suddenly walks up next to Hank and the two of them exchange small talk. Phil is wearing his trademark Technicolor wrestling singlet and silver moon boots and his long black hair is tied back into a ponytail. The Hardcore Championship belt is slung over Phil's left shoulder, with the shiny gold faceplate facing outwards. After Hank and Phil finish exchanging pleasantries, Hank gives the cue for his cameraman to begin rolling tape.}}
Hank Brown: "Hello to everybody out there in the WCF Universe! I'm your pal Hank Brown and joining me at this time is the reigning WCF Hardcore Champion Phillip Baines! Phil, you have a big match tonight at Ultimate Showdown where you'll be defending your Hardcore Championship against "The Hero" Ryan Blake. We'll get to that in a little bit, but I do have a few other things that I want to ask you about first."
Phil: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. What a surprise, Hank. I bet I can guess what you're going to ask me about, too."
{{Phil rolls his eyes. Hank raises an eyebrow before proceeding with his question.}}
Hank: "Well, of course, everyone has been talking about the fact that you have the opportunity to cash in your World Title shot tonight against the winner of the HUGE six-person, elimination-style main event match where of course the World Title will be at stake. The likes of D-Day, Kaylyn James Evans and Roy Speede have all verbally sparred with you during their promos this week. You've even been warned not to cash in your title shot tonight by some of the participants of the match--"
{{Phil interjects, not with words but with a chuckle and a smirk.}}
Hank: "For your part you've remained defiant, stating that you'll cash in your title shot whenever you please and that no one can stop you from doing so."
Phil: "Of course I have, Hank. Would you expect anything less from me?"
Hank: "No sir, and the questions remains: Is tonight the night? Will you cash in your title shot against the winner of the Ultimate Showdown main event?"
Phil: "I haven't made a decision about that yet, Hank. It depends on how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking about, you know? I have a title defense of my own that I have to focus on tonight. I can't make any assumptions about my match, much less the main event, even though I do feel supremely confident that I will successfully defend my title tonight. Think about it this way: What if Blake has a moment of brilliance in which he gouges my eye out with a rusty screwdriver or punctures my kidney with a nailgun? Under those circumstances I would hardly be in any condition to cash in my World Title shot, now would I? I know that none of that is likely to happen, but you can never take anything for granted in this sport. I'll tell you what though, Hank, when I do make my decision you'll be the first to know."
{{Phil winks at Hank, who grins ear-to-ear like a Cheshire cat.}}
Hank: "Great! Another scoop for the Hankster! Take that, Callahan!"
{{Hank punches the air with his fist in celebration. Like a true pro, Hank quickly composes himself, straightens his tie and jacket, and proceeds with his line of questioning.}}
Hank: "I have to ask about another subject that's been making headlines. Last week on Slam you attacked D-Day and Oblivion following their tag team match. It was a vicious and quite frankly shocking attack. I don't think that anybody saw it coming, especially those two men. Why did you do it, Phil? You've been at odds with Oblivion for months, that I understand, but why D-Day? Why do him like that?"
Phil: "Means, motive and opportunity, Hank. What I did to D-Day and Oblivion on Slam might have looked like an act of aggression to you and the WCF Universe, but it was more accurately an act of self-preservation, a healing tonic to cure what ailed me. I live life by a simple mantra: If you cross me then I will kill you. If you double-cross me then I will maim and torture you before I kill you. As far as I'm concerned my rivalry with Oblivion has, for all intents and purposes, been placed on indefinite hiatus. He's no longer in my thoughts and after I finish this sentence he'll no longer be in my words. D-Day is a much different story. My campaign of terror against Donald Deruty is just beginning and it will not end until WCF's American Hero meets his end."
{{Hank nods his head.}}
Hank: "A bone-chilling glimpse into the thought process of WCF's reigning Hardcore Champion. D-Day will certainly need eyes in the back of his head tonight. Speaking of the Hardcore Championship--"
{{Baines slaps the polished gold face of the championship belt with his hand.}}
Hank: "You will be defending that belt tonight against Ryan Blake. Blake had some strong words for you in a promo that aired just last night, and during my interview with him earlier today. Among other things he warned you not to underestimate him. He also accused you of not showing him respect and being worried about everyone on the roster other than him, including names such as Obama, Oprah, Bill Cosby and Adam Sandler."
Phil: "I wasn't aware that they were employed by WCF, but please continue, Hank."
Hank: "Well, is that a fair assessment on Blake's part? Are you overlooking Blake and focusing too much on your burgeoning rivalry with D-Day and the possibility of cashing in your World Title shot rather than placing your focus on your Hardcore Title defense against Blake?"
Phil: "Listen, Hank, I know that Blake feels like I'm ignoring him. I know that he feels like he doesn't have my undivided attention, but the reality is that I've shown Blake respect ever since it was announced that I would be defending my title against him at Ultimate Showdown. It hasn't been respect in the form of praise or commendation, but I've shown him the respect of doing my homework on him. I give that kind of respect to each of my opponents. Frankly, he hasn't earned anything more from me than that basic professional courtesy. It's not my problem if he doesn't like what I have to say about him, or if he doesn't like the fact that I don't spend more time talking about him. When you started interviewing me, you didn't ask about Blake. You asked about my World Title shot. You asked about my attack on D-Day. It's human nature. Look at the Ultimate Showdown prediction thread on the WCF.com forum. Everybody thinks that I'm going to annihilate Blake. It's not because they're overlooking Blake, it's because they know what I know: They know that Ryan Blake is a lamb being led to slaughter against The Young Lion!
"If Blake wants me to respect him as a wrestler, as a fighter and as a man then he'll have to earn that respect during our match tonight. Quite honestly I do not believe that he's capable of that. Nothing that he's done in his WCF career makes me believe that he can hang with me tonight, much less beat me. I'll take it a step further than that: Ryan Blake cannot do this work, this hardcore wrestling work that I've turned into a veritable artform, Hank. He's not wired for it. He doesn't have the heart. He's not willing to make the necessary sacrifice. He's not willing to bleed for his craft, but I will make him bleed for it. It's a lesson in violence that he will have to learn if he's ever going to become a man. That might sound cocky, arrogant, egotistical and the like, but it's not. I'm not overlooking Blake in the slightest. It's to Blake's detriment that I have been focusing on him this week. He's been my only focus in training and he'll be my only focus when I step into the ring tonight. I've read his bio. I've watched his promos. I've watched his matches. I know what he does. I know his tendencies, I know that he cracks under pressure. I know that he doesn't like being pushed. Well I've proven time and time again that I push harder than anybody in this business. I've pushed men into early retirement and even into that great big wrestling ring in the sky. You know that, Hank. You've been covering my career from Day One."
{{Hank tries his damnedest to choke back a grin, but he can't quite do it.}}
Hank: "Yes I have and I know what you're capable of as well as any opponent that you'll step into the ring with, which actually brings me to my next question: Do you really know what Ryan Blake is capable of? As he said during his promo, he's new to the business but he's no rookie. He's won matches and held gold. He also claims to be a master of psychological warfare. Is it possible that he's getting into your head, making you think that you'll have an easy time of things tonight so that he can catch you offguard?"
{{Phil stares blankly at Hank for a moment before he begins laughing uproariously. Phil's doubled over with laughter. Phil's laughing so hard that the Hardcore Championship belt slides off his shoulder. Phil alertly grabs the belt and saves it from hitting the hard floor below. Finally Phil is able to compose himself. He brushes his long hair back with his hands and clears his throat.}}
Phil: "Good lord, that's some comedy, Hank. Coming from you it's actually funny. Coming from Blake it just grinds my gears like an old pick-up truck that needs to be scrapped. If Blake's goal is to get under my skin then he can consider himself successful in that regard. Every word that the kid says screams "douchebag", do you know what I mean? He was doing himself a favor by keeping a low profile and staying out of the public eye. Then he had to go and run his mouth like the little punk that he is. That was the stupidest thing that he could have done. He's fueled my fire. He's made it absolutely impossible for me to overlook him. How could I? I do not like Ryan Blake. I don't like the way that he looks. I don't like the sound of his voice. I don't like his dopey smile. I don't like his ego. Every word that he says makes me want to bash his face in with a microphone until the blood flows like a river, the same as I did to D-Day, but then I want to do so much more than that.
"I want to grind a cheese grater on Blake's face, peel that skin right off and make him feel what it's like to be in a real fight for his life. If he wants to talk like a tough guy then he should at least look the part! Then I want to ram his head into the steel ring post. Then I want to slam metal folding chairs and kendo sticks about his head and body. Then I want to give him a lesson in submission wrestling by tearing his ligaments and tendons with leglocks and armbars. Blake considers himself a master of psychological warfare? I'll show him that real warfare means stepping into the ring with Phillip Baines.
"Let me tell you something else: If Blake's counting on the element of surprise to carry him to victory against me then he's in deeper doo-doo than even I could have imagined, Hank. There's absolutely nothing in his arsenal that he can surprise me with. Not only do I desire to inflict severe harm upon his person, but I'm better than him in every aspect of wrestling, fighting, brawling, scrapping and plain old throwing down. I've made myself a force to be reckoned with, not just in this company, not just in professional wrestling, but throughout combat sports. Fight fans talk about Phillip Baines in the same breath as men such as Manny Pacquiao and Anderson Silva. They talk about how each of us are stone cold killers in our respective sports and disciplines. They speculate about what it would be like if we met in a true-to-life dream fight.
"Does anybody talk about Ryan Blake like that? Does anybody talk about Ryan Blake period? While I've been building my legacy in WCF, Ryan Blake has barely made a blip on the radar screen. He's won matches and held gold? Where has he done that? Oh that's right, a quote/unquote "minor wrestling league", according to his bio. This isn't the minor leagues, Blake. This is the big-time. This is Wrestling Championship Federation. This is Ultimate Showdown, live pay-per-view television broadcast worldwide. This is Phillip Baines. Your past success in the minor leagues might have gotten your foot in the door, but it won't mean shit when you're in the ring with me. I'm not Joe Blow or Johnny Jabroni. I'm a certified killing machine with victories over the biggest and baddest men in this business. That's my legacy. What's your legacy? Oh that's right, you beat Shadow in your WCF debut. Congratulations!"
{{Baines breaks out the old "slow, sarcastic hand-clap" while sneering into the camera.}}
Phil: "You beat Shadow, then you were handed a Television Title shot against Kaylyn James Evans and promptly lost."
Hank: "Not to interrupt, but Blake claims that he only lost that match because he let Kaylyn win."
Phil: "Oh really? How's that, Hank? He thought she would spread her legs for him if he let her win?"
Hank: "He claims that he didn't want to end up in prison for murder."
{{Phil's face goes blank again. He can't even bring himself to dignify that remark.}}
Hank: "He also claims that he didn't really want the Television Title because it's a joke."
Phil: "Yeah, I can see how he would feel that way considering that the highest title that he's achieved in his career is a championship in a minor league company."
{{Phil, quite literally, facepalms. Hank doesn't know exactly how to react so he just keeps holding the microphone in front of Phil's face until he's ready to start talking again.}}
Phil: "Ryan Blake is a pathological liar. He thinks that he's playing mind games with his opponents, but he's really playing mind games with himself. That's a deadly game to play when I'm the man that you're walking into the ring against. If you don't have your head screwed on straight then I'll knock it off your shoulders in a heartbeat."
{{Baines snaps his fingers for emphasis.}}
Phil: "Blake talks about how he let Kaylyn win. Well I watched that match and it didn't look like he let her win, it looked like he got his ass kicked! You were trying to win. You wanted the title. Don't bullshit me, Blake, and don't bullshit yourself!"
{{Phil raises his hand and looks like he's about to swat the camera, as if it were Ryan Blake. Hank does his best to veer out of harm's way while maintaining his professionalism.}}
Hank: "Um, Blake also stated that he's not scared by your impressive win/loss record. He says it doesn't mean that you're going to beat him and it doesn't make you any better than him."
Phil: "Of course it doesn't, Hank... if you live in the Bizarro World!"
{{Phil shoots an incredulous stare into the camera.}}
Phil: "I've never been a loser, but if I were a loser I would probably be telling myself the same kind of nonsense. I would be telling myself that wins and losses don't matter. I would be telling myself that my record does not define who I am as a wrestler. Of course that's an illogical position to take, one that's born out of the frustration of suffering one defeat after another. Winning is the entire point of competing. Winning is how you become a champion, and if you're not trying to become a champion then I have no earthly idea why you're in WCF. Once again, Blake is full of it. He's a competitor. He competed for the Television Title and he lost. There's no shame in that, but there is shame in making ridiculous excuses for losing. The only thing more ridiculous than Blake's excuses is the fact that he honestly seems to believe that he's been booked against me in a Hardcore Title match based on merit. I guess nobody let Blake in on the not-so-secret secret. Blake is not a challenger for my Hardcore Championship. He's fresh flesh for my feast. He's a tasty morsel for me to devour. He's easy prey for a Young Lion with a voracious appetite, much like a gazelle in the African wilderness.
"This isn't going to be a title match, this is going to be a bloodbath. Surely you've heard the murmurs, Blake. Surely you can hear those chants that taunt you during your sleep. You know the ones that say "Phil's gonna kill you! Phil's gonna kill you! Phil's gonna kill you!" Now I might not be the most popular guy in WCF based on my recent actions, but let's be honest: The WCF fans cannot get enough of Phillip Baines. That's why my T-shirt sold out in record time. That's why I've been booked against an opponent who I'm certain to destroy in highlight reel fashion. When I put my opponents through flaming tables, that puts money into the pockets of management. That's why you're here, Blake. Not because you deserve a title shot based on your performance, but because you're the perfect fall guy. Creeping Death doesn't want to jeopardize the safety of anybody important on the roster by booking them against Baines, but he'll damn sure sacrifice a scrub like Ryan Blake, somebody who will not be missed when his brief and undistinguished career has been violently and hatefully ended by Baines. Who is Ryan Blake? The world will never know. Blake will be just another skull on my mantel, just another name added to my list of victims.
"If he's being honest with himself, even Ryan Blake knows that he's a dead man walking. That's why he disappeared until the day before our match. He was hoping that I would forget about him, forget about our match. It became apparent to Blake that his strategy had failed when I pledged to end his career in my last promo. That's when he started in with his little psychological warfare tactics, his taunts, his Batman costume. These are acts of pure desperation from a kid who's trying to convince himself that he'll still have brain activity after I'm finished with him tonight. Like I said before, he should have kept his mouth shut and accepted his fate like a man. Yes, I would have killed him anyway, but I would have made it quick and relatively painless, like pulling the plug on a brain-dead relative who has no hope for recovery. By drawing my ire, Blake has changed the entire complexion of this match. He's made it personal. He's given me incentive to make him suffer. Quite frankly I should thank him for that."
{{Baines smirks as he vigorously nods his head. Hank looks both puzzled and a tad fearful.}}
Phil: "This match was going to be just another ho-hum night at the office for me, but now I'm really going to enjoy my work. This match is going to be a true showcase for the Hardcore Division and my dominance as Hardcore Champion. It's more than a mere one-fall match with a title belt on the line. It's a matter of life and death. I've bled for the Hardcore Championship. I've killed for the Hardcore Championship, literally. I've felt a man's life slip away in my hands. Do you have any idea what that feels like, Blake? No, you do not. You could not because you've never been in that situation. You've never had to take another human being's life to spare your own, to protect that which is rightfully yours. You'll find out what it's like to fight for your life tonight when you have a man-eating lion breathing down your neck, just biding his time, waiting for the right moment to pounce and rip your goddamn throat out."
{{Baines glares into the camera with a fire in his eyes while taking several deep, angry man breaths, which are audible over the mic. Hank hesitates before he slowly pulls the mic away from Phil, clearly not wanting to turn Phil's wrath against him.}}
Hank: "Well, the Hardcore Champion certainly looks motivated! Thank you, champ, and good luck in your match!"
{{Phil does not acknowledge Hank, he just keeps on glaring into that camera, his expression unchanging. Hank gives the cut signal to the cameraman and skedaddles out of there, as does the cameraman himself. Phil just stands there glaring, glaring like a man who is seething with rage and poised to strike.}}