One's curtains will fall....

[Level-Two]

One's curtains will fall....

The auditorium was at full capacity as the crowd before him roared with disapproval the second they heard his name.

Level-One

The curtains slid open revealing a man in a rather docile state. He held his hands behind his back and diverted his attention solely to the stage beneath him as if he had been resigned to defeat. In silence he stood deaf to the whispers and murmurs below him. Slowly, his head titled upwards as he looked into the crowd. He took a step forward towards the microphone and into the spotlight shining down onto him revealing his torn suit; perhaps a symbol of his most recent of struggles.

''It's time you people learn the truth - the truth about Action Packed Wrestling.''

The curtains slid close and the audience began to stir with anticipation gossiping about what the truth could possibly be but because it was coming from Level-One - most laughed it off and summed it all up as a lie, a Terry Marvin sized swerve.

... and then the curtains crept open.

''Tonight, you will all learn just how little you truly know about your favorite wrestling promotion. You will see that the three hours of your life you waste away at your television set doesn't account for one tenth of the shit that goes on behind the scenes. Tonight, I bring these truths to the stage. I take it from behind the curtain and I lay it all here before you. Ladies and gentlemen... I will bring to you all YOUR NEW REALITY!!!''

He steps aside giving the audience a clear view at the stage before him. A large road sign prop reads ''APW-Ville'' and underneath are several corpses in the process of decay resembling former APW Mega Stars. Notably, former undisputed champions; Kurt Noble and Sally Talfourd. Beside her, lays Chris Hart - along with Mark Mania and Azreal Gorean hanging about.

''In APWville it's apparent that there is a fast growing cancer here and it has been killing off some of our most prized APW Mega Stars one by one! These men and women didn't suddenly leave us just because they couldn't hack it anymore - but rather, they were victims of a cancer called... backstage politics! It's a horrible disease and it's bound to take even more Mega Stars if I don't do something about it!''

Lester glances over at another corpse; this one is headless but wears a shirt tastefully reading: Your name here?

''So, here's truth number one. This skeleton right here? This skeleton very well could have been me. My name could have been on this shirt.''

The audience gasps - how could that possibly be!?

''See when I learned that Terry Marvin was sent to Asylum in the name of protecting his Undisputed Title, I wanted to walk away from it all. For two years everything I had done was in the name of working towards my goal of becoming a five time undisputed champion and it was robbed from me not because I wasn't good enough but because of a executive decision made by a former wrestler turned business man who's out of touch with the Mega Stars he employs and would rather depend on shock and awe to sell his brands tickets instead of our talent...''

Level-One can't help but smirk as he sets his eyes on a full body replica of President Jeff who stands with his arms raised over the dead corpses of APW Mega Stars. Mockingly, he leans on President Jeff's shoulder.

''So through the APW's proxy Alexander Duvall the APW decides to throw me a bone - they give me a shot at Overdrive's substitute top champion in Micheal Callahan. Although cute, the APW proceeded to show their true colors by throwing Delikado into the mix and when they realized that I wasn't going to build their pay per view quite the way they expected me too; CJ Gates was given the opportunity to join the fun and he capitalized on it....

Crisis averted , right?''

Level-One smirks as he pats President Jeff on the back.

''Well, not quite because it wasn't the decision to green light a clusterfuck chance at Micheal Callahan's devalued APW World Championship that cured me of APWvilles greatest cancer but rather the realization that I was not only immune from it but I am...

I am the cure.''

With one swift blow, Level-One sends the President Jeff replica prop crashing onto the stage floor. He tilts his head towards the crowd as the curtains slide close. In the crowd sat the nationally renowned wrestling blogger Andrew Meltzer who later wrote:

''It was at that moment a light bulb went off and I realized that the APW was in a state of Martial Law. President Jeff may have been the figure head of the promotion but with his absence from APW television on a week to week basis it was clear his responsibilities were delegated to the countless deck chair shuffling of new general managers.''

... and then the curtains crept open.

''Truth number two - since Rasslemania, Monday Night Overdrive has been in a steady decline. The ratings are at an all time low, the morale backstage is in the dumps and the top talent on this show has put together a string of piss poor phone it in performances courtsey of Micheal Callahan and Delikado. As a result, the APW has had to look to their white night turned APW Gatekeeper CJ Gates to save the day but it will be to no avail - unfortunately.''

The stage has been turned into Level-One's living room. His family photos hang on the wall behind him along with his countless wrestling related awards. Casually, he kicks off his dress shoes and plops himself onto his sofa.

''I gave this promotion everything I had and they repaid me by fucking me over royally. They repaid me by shipping off an undisputed title I spent years bleeding value into and telling me that I'd have to fucking deal with it or find another line of work. Well, I dealt with it. For the past several weeks, I showed up to work - won wrestling matches- and then went home to spend time with my family. I didn't try to build this match. I didn't try to make it exciting. I did the bare minimum all in the name of protest of APW's abusive business practices. I took a stand and showed those motherfuckers that without my full presence on your weekly broadcasts - all you have left is a lowly Overdrive champion named Evan Envi to look forward too.''

''Enjoy!''

He grabs the remote and turns off a nearby television that has been rolled out onto the stage.

''I sent a message that if I am ever traded to Asylum, Overdrive as we used to know it officially dies. More importantly, I gave you fans something to think about this Sunday when Mayhem goes live. If you cheer on anyone who isn't me - you might as well be cheering on the death of wrestling on Monday Nights. Hip hip, hooray!''

The sarcastic chant followed a violent affair in which he throws the remote right at the television screen cracking it in a half. He sits up in his sofa and faces the crowd with a blank expression as the curtains are closed. In the auditorium Cindy Shannon along with a camera crew stumbles in to document the event and tries to take a seat next to Andrew Metlzer.

''Cindy?'' He asks placing a hand on the empty seat before laughing at her. ''What - are you expecting to find CJ Gates here or something?''

''Ugh.'' Cindy Shannon said rolling her eyes. ''I am here to cover this event, okay? So, knock it off and leave me alone you creep!''

Andrew Meltzer snarled before he slapped the seat twice and welcomed his unlikely companion whom had no choice but to join him.

... and then the curtains crept open.

''Truth number three, we used to be one big family...''

Level-One butters his bread at a small dinner table with Sindicate lookalikes resembling The LeWinter sisters, Felipe DeLorean and current Undisputed Champion, Terry Marvin. Level-One takes a bite of his bred and then sticks the point of the knife right into the center of the table top earning the ire of his comrades.

''But not anymore.'' He explained. ''The APW knew the Sindicate was their biggest meal ticket and rather than minding their own business they couldn't help but go out of their way to protect it. Someway, somehow they convinced you all to go along willingly with their plan to trade Terry Marvin to Asylum and you all justified your decision by believing that the action would bring us closer together... that would give us more power. I'd be APW World Heavyweight Champion and Terry Marvin would be Undisputed champion - and the APW? Well, they could avoid the possibility of us tearing each other apart and dissolving the Sindicate for good - after all, this was their greatest fear...''

He shook his head side to side slamming the piece of bred down into his plate in pure disgust for their decision to play ball.

''Well, the APW was wrong!''

''I would have wrestled Terry Marvin and we would have put on the greatest show the world has ever seen! The world would witness two greats in one ring answering the questions on everyone's mind - which one of the two was truly the better man? After the match win or lose the dust would settle and the Sindicate's true leader would rise from the ashes and affirm himself as the alpha.''

''NO!'' The Felipe DeLorean lookalike stands up and beats his chest in rage. ''YOU ARE NOT THE LEADER! IT IS I WHO IS THE....''

''Shut your mouth!'' Level-One roared before he shoved Felipe DeLorean back down into his seat. ''As I was saying...''

''The Sindicate would determine it's leader and our quest for control would continue. However, the APW's intervention along with the Sindicate's majority co operation made this natural but vital process impossible and now there can NEVER be a TRUE leader! In attempt to SAVE the Sindicate you have all put it in jeopardy for good! You have ALL made our demise inevitable! Why!? What have you all done!? LOOK AT WHAT YOU FOOLS HAVE DONE!!!''

In a rage Level-One stands up and flips the table over - knocking off all the food, deserts and glasses of wine off the table and onto the stage below. The destruction of the set is soon obstructed by the closing of the curtains while the crowd stirs in anticipation for what's next. In the crowd, Cindy Shannon cannot quite fathom the show she's watching.

''Hey, what's going on?'' Cindy Shannon asked Andrew. ''Level-One is breaking protocol and I can't imagine this will end well.''

''Actually, it's more like breaking kayfabe - sugar tits.'' Andrew Meltzer tastefully replied fueling Cindy Shannon's confusion.

''Kayfabe?'' Cindy echoed. ''What's that?''

Andrew sighed. ''Long story short the APW wants to push the image of a united Sindicate to their audience but a united Sindicate simply does not exist. It's fake. The Sindicate is on the verge of crumbling any day now and Lester is breaking kayfabe by putting that on blast right now.''

''Well, how do we stop him?''

''We don't, girlie!'' Andrew Meltzer laughed as he leaned back in his chair. ''You are just a reporter and I am nothing more than a blogger - in other words, this is WAY above our paygrade. You and I? We simply sit back and enjoy the show.''

... and then for the last time the curtains crept open.

This time however the elaborate sets had vanished from the stage. Now he sat in a single chair with a single spotlight shining down on top of him with a replica APW World Heavyweight championship he held dangling from his paws.

''Then they tell you that all championships were created equal...''

He could barely finish the sentence before he broke out into an episode of psychotic laughter - a display which left an uneasy feeling amongst the audience before him.

''Why must these liars lie? Is it just in their nature? Or is it that they find enjoyment in misleading others down the wrong path? I may be no stand up individual and perhaps I am amongst the worst of the worst the world has ever seen but at least I am honest. The Undisputed title was stolen and replaced with this real life replica that I am now supposed to go out and try to win. The APW has tried to sell this piece of shit title as the motive behind this match. It isn't. It maybe for other three chuckleheads trying to justify their floundering careers but to me? It's just about picking up another W and lugging this weight around just for the hell for it.''

He looks at the replica title in his hands as if it was foreign to him. In just a few days, he would have the real thing and he didn't know quite how to react.

''Naturally, I will bleed worth into this belt based in fraud but for now this title is pretty much worthless and pretending it isn't is an outright lie. You fuckers took the greatest prize in professional wrestling and threw it to the B - Show so it's otherwise great champion could defend it against other B - show level competition. The same idiots and degenerates whom allowed Micheal Callahan to emerge at the top of his class are the same idiots and degenerates whom will now be challenging Terry Marvin for the Undisputed title - a title in which he might as well hang on forever. If very few could dethrone him here on Overdrive there is no one who can stop him on Asylum.''

He shakes his head side to side as if they had already lost before he rose to his feet with the title still dangling lifelessly from his grips.

''You probably thought you'd never see the day, I'd be walking around with a fake title but really what separates this replica from the real thing other than your acknowledgment as such? I am better than Micheal Callahan and everyone else in that match - if anything, this replica is already worth more in my hands than the so called real thing in his! Though, I play along with your little game. I will play along just like I always do. I'll dress up, I'll come out on stage and I'll do my little fucking monkey dance to entertain the masses...

Just like I always do.''

''However, I will not give you what you want.''

''I will NOT be the champion the APW wants me to be. I will not treat this false title as Terry Marvin's equal until I prove it is beyond a reasonable doubt. I will not pose with this stupid title nor will it accompany me to the ring in high esteem. In fact, I will only even accept this title upon victory merely as another act of protest against the APW.''

''I do not want this title but I will take it from them anyways.''

Finally his grip on the replica title loosens up and it crashes to the floor. He doesn't acknowledge it falling out of his hands and it's clear he does not care much about his prop.

''Ladies and gentlemen once these curtains close the process begins and an era of the old will re-merge once again. ''

''However, when these curtains fall it will signal the end of another.''

''Showtime is over.''

... and then the curtains fell.

---

All week people have been asking me... what can I expect from my opponents at Mayhem?

I mean, that's like asking me what Buckson Gooch is going to eat for dinner - whatever is washed up on the side of the road I guess but hell if I can call it! For starters, I am dealing with Delikado - a man who is an undiagnosed schizophrenic who will be bringing whatever he can fit up his sleeve. It could be as harmless as a party blower or as crazy as his pet raccoon but at the end of the day I am not going to be worried about what he's doing because I'll be too focused on what I'll be doing and imposing my will.

However, I think this question speaks volumes itself. Delikado had his opportunity to defeat Micheal Callahan in Panama City for the APW world championship and failed to capitalize on it. My detractors would argue that it's because I had it end in a disqualification but I didn't hear any outcry from Delikado nor his church about the incident, did you? If he felt I cost him the title the first time around I haven't heard about it and if he truly felt that way, he'd be some breed of bitch not to exact his revenge upon me the second he had a chance - wouldn't he?

Yeah, I thought so.

The truth is Delikado was thankful that I saved him the embarrassment of being pinned in Panama City and losing to Micheal Callahan the right way. So much so - that he has chosen to aid me against CJ Gates and Micheal Callahan afterwards. Though my action came with a hefty price because as a result of my interference a clear winner was not declared and it provided the APW with the justification for pushing this undeserving false contender into the main event picture alongside me and Micheal Callahan at Mayhem.

To those wondering why I would align myself with the likes of Delikado, you need to understand that while he maybe one of those Muslim extremists wearing one of those silly get ups - if he is willing to raise holy war against my enemies than he is an ally I must entertain. I understand the concern seeing as this match is every man for itself but there is not a doubt in my mind that CJ Gates will be conspiring with Micheal Callahan and winning him over with hefty bribes and thus I'd be an idiot not to take proactive measures against a potential screw job!

At the end of the day, Delikado will too be treated as an equal opponent at a rather convenient time when his back is turned and he is not fully alert! The best part about it? I won't even have a guilty conscious the next morning because I would sleep well knowing I merely beat him to the punch. I'd be an idiot to trust Delikado especially in a match like this. We're talking about a guy who pickets the funerals of his dead fish... LITTLE GOLD FISHIES!

Delikado is not looking for an APW World Championship, no - he's out for world domination and he plans to accomplish his goal through the art of uncontrollable laughter. Every time you smile at one of his tasteless jokes - a shred of humanity is ripped from your soul and before you know it, you'll all be laughing at his new aborted fetus routine which is bound to be his next lame ass gimmick in 2014!

Although Mayhem comes with serious implications for the future of my career, I'd be only kidding myself if I took Delikado as a legitimate threat of any sort. I won't say Delikado has no chance of walking out of Mayhem the APW World Champion because in a match like this there are no guarantees but I can promise a Delikado victory won't be cast upon my fallen body. He knows as well as I do he can't hold me down longer than three seconds and would give up on trying to submit me before my hand would ever hit the canvas in submission. The fact is his only path to victory is by pinning our transitional APW world champion whom earned his place by default.

As much as it pains me to say it the only person opposite of me that actually has earned his place in this match is actually CJ Gates. While you all are scratching your head at such a bold proclamation marinate on the fact that Micheal Callahan is a champion on a brand he's never won a match on. Pathetic. When we talk about CJ Gates - we're talking about a guy who's been with on Overdrive since the very beginning and a man who's been in the main event title scene for over a year now. He may have failed to capitalize on his opportunities time and time again but if there is anyone who at least deserves a crack it, it's CJ Gates.

Though, that didn't stop me from conspiring to keep CJ Gates from the match but why should it CJ? This is business and I am not here to play fair in a game of tiddlywinks you fucking fairy! I strive on competition and in any other scenario you would be a welcome challenger that is until two lesser of men are thrown into the mix and eligible to be pinned and lose a match for me. It's basic mathematics! I tried to keep you out of this match not because I didn't think you deserved to be in it but because my chances at victory were greater without you in it.

Although, I am sure your tempted to give yourself a pat on the back don't make the mistake of confusing my honesty with some type of weakeness. I am better than you CJ and I always will be - it could have been Branden Harvey in your position up against Micheal Callahan and I would have been out there trying to do the exact same thing! You being included into this match was a lose - lose situation for everyone else involved. Though, I am sure you'll refuse to acknowledge the obvious in favor of your unjustified ego!

Instead, you'd rather walk around with your head on a swivel acting as if I am scared or intimidated by you - get over yourself! You can pearl clutch your lone victory over me all you want but I have had your number more often than not! Hell, maybe your time would be better spent visiting Biggs in the hospital bed he's probably still laying in and ask him about the insignificant victories he holds over me as he nurses a broken neck! He may have won a few battles along the way but like you, he would go onto lose the war.

You will lose the war.

At Rasslemania, I fired a significant shot when I laid you out with the billion dollar briefcase and cost you a vital pin fall resulting in your loss. In the history books you may go down as the man who lost to Terry Marvin at Rasslemania IX but reality tells a much different story because on that night it wasn't Terry Marvin who beat you; it was me. CJ, YOU robbed me a chance at glory at Rasslemania and I robbed YOU in return! If I couldn't get a fair shake at Terry Marvin, I'd be damned if you did too. The best part about it? Your fate was sealed the moment you won at Christmas Chaos. It was at THAT moment that I decided I wasn't going to win the undisputed title at Rasslemania but that I'd much rather watch you lose.

Perhaps the errors of our ways are why we are now here fighting for the APW World Heavyweight championship instead of the Undisputed title; it is a testament to the depths of hell this war has taken us and yet our battle rages on. All this poppycock you've been spouting concerning a future APW World Title reign is bullshit. Much like me, you don't care about that title either. It's all about proving a point, CJ. You want to hold that title not because it has a lick of value but merely so you could hoist it over your head and tell the world how you beat me for it because you know THAT is where the power is...

...because you know I am the best.

Me on the other hand? I want to take that title and turn it into something worth holding. I want to become APW World Champion to finally justify the titles existence - to lift this title above the head of Evan Envi; our lowly Overdrive champion and solidify it as the top title of our brand. This is something that only I can do as evidenced by the Undisputed title I built up - the same title you'd probably give your life for just to hold for one more day...

As for Micheal Callahan? You are going to learn just how inferior Asylum once was to Overdrive when I strip that gold from your waist like I was Kurt Nobles ex wife! Although, I'd argue that you have already proven just how inferior your truly are since your debut! I find it funny you claim to be APW's duly elected Representative but it's clear your not representing talent relations because YOU and TALENT have no relation! I mean, am I actually supposed to take you seriously after a run like this? If anything, we should be seeing the best Micheal Callahan, after all - first impressions are everything! Or well, in your case... a whole lot of nothing!

The sports analysts are doing their best to explain away your recent performances or lack thereof but I already have it all figured out... you've been giving it your all but your all simply isn't enough! Since day one, I have been saying the APW World Championship is inferior to it's predecessor and rather than actually proving me wrong you nod your head along with me and agree! It's one thing to lose to Overdrive veterans like me and CJ Gates but it's another thing to be bested by the Overdrive champion in a champion vs. champion vs. champion affair! If you couldn't win a match under those circumstances with inferior talent how the hell do you plan to retain your title at Mayhem?

Truth be told, I don't even think you believe you'll make it out of here with the title around your waist - which speaks to the stupidity and nativity of any brain damaged fan who would predict this match in your favor! You may have the average uninformed voter on your side holding up your signs with your picture and name on it but that's just because they're suckers for a cheesy Cinderella man sob story. And the shmucks on Asylum? Collectively, they are crossing their fingers HOPING that you find it in yourself to retain or their whole brand officially becomes a laughing stock. Though, wait til' they hear the punchline! You know... the one where you continue your losing streak and end up on Meltdown or bagging groceries at your local Sobey's?

I know it's quite the prediction; a bold one at that but in preparation for this match I did my homework on you and I realized that you don't have your heart in this anymore. For years on end the APW fans have watched you fight and struggle every step of the way as you desperately tried to become APW World Heavyweight Champion. Although you proved you just weren't good enough on multiple occasions eventually your ducks were lined up and you found yourself against Keaton Saint for a the APW world title...

Heh, Keaton Saint.

And you won. At Rasslemania the one thing you were longing for the entirety of your career was accomplished you made it big. Congratulations! However, when your victory washed over you realized that holding a second tier championship on a second tier brand and you tried to immediately correct this by going along with the trade to Overdrive. However, you would soon realize that you were outmatched here the first time we stepped in the ring on opposite sides. You felt my boot to the back of your head and you felt strength you never felt before...

... but I didn't break you.

No, you broke you. You always wondered how it felt like to hold the APW World Championship across your shoulder or around your waist but how often did you really sit down and envision your first successful defense? You had a chip on your shoulder and you believed that your life would be better if you could knock it off but all you did was strap the weight of the world on your shoulders instead. Micheal, this whole championship was more than you bargained for and not quite as glorious as you expected. At Mayhem when I emerge victorious, I will only be doing you a favor by taking this responsibility away from you and putting that title into better hands.

My hands.

I will win your APW World Heavyweight title but I will not wear it.