Post by C.J. Gates on Sept 5, 2011 22:46:23 GMT -4
The scene opens up inside of a darkened arena. Dim light filters into the large space, allowing the ring and barricades to be seen faintly. It also reveals one man, one large man, walking around the outside of the ring. Moving closer down the ramp, the man can be recognized in the dim light as APW World Heavyweight champion Rico Casteel. He has a smile on his face, the title around his waist, and doesn't seem to be looking for anything in particular.
Rico: This is my show. This is my ring. Everyone things they will be able to stand toe to toe with me, but they're wrong.
Rico continues to smile and nod as a few more lights come on and Colonel Frederick de LaFontaine the third comes walking down the ramp.
Colonel: What, I say, what are you doing out here, champ?
Rico stops in his tracks at the bottom of the ramp and turns his head toward the Colonel.
Rico: This Sunday at Asylum, everyone will be battling it out inside of that ring for a shot at my title. They will try and make each other bleed, all in effort to be able to stand toe to toe with me. And I bet that each and every one of them thinks that they have what it takes. I bet that they all think they will be able to beat me.
Colonel: Why shouldn't they, son? To think otherwise would be a disservice to themselves.
Rico: Why shouldn't they? Because they're only telling themselves lies. They are just setting themselves up for ultimate failure.
Colonel: It wasn't too long ago that a runt nearly took you're title. So, anything's possible.
Rico smirks.
Rico: He thinks he nearly took my title, but he never even came close. I will admit that there were times when he frustrated me because he wouldn't stay down, but he never came close to getting my title. The point is, Colonel, that no matter who wins this battle royal, will get destroyed by yours truly.
Colonel: You seem awfully confident.
Rico: They're going to be battling to bleed one another. They aren't going to be fighting an actual fight. Besides, bleeding is only half the battle. The other half, they still need to beat me.
Colonel: Which is not an easy task, right?
Rico: Exactly. Who knows. Maybe it will just be another punk to dispose of.
Rico looks around the empty arena with a smile still plastered on his face. The Colonel folds his arms over his chest.
Colonel: Considering the match you had at Shockwave, you seem to be raring to go.
Rico: A week can do wonders for someone. Besides, Colonel, I'm always ready to go. I'm always raring to rip someones head off their body. I'd fight each and every night if I could. Regardless of how much blood I shed, I'm still eager to maim some poor peasant.
Colonel: Good, good. Glad to hear, because I'm sure whoever wins that battle royal will give you a fight. Anyone you're looking forward to fighting?
Rico chuckles.
Rico: Truth be told, it wouldn't matter. People are saying that the favorites are Jason Kash and Chris Cyrus, but I've already proven my ability to beat them, and quite handily I might add.
Colonel: Don't you figure they will bring their all during a title match?
Rico: If what Cyrus showed me at Test for the Best is his all, I'm not worried about fighting him again.
Colonel: What about Kash? He's been a different person since you fought.
Rico: Once a peasant, always a peasant Fred. To put it bluntly, the only way there will ever be a new king in this Asylum, in this Kingdom of Madness, is if I die. And it doesn't matter how many peasants Reginald throws my way, each and every one of them will be dealt with.
Rico looks past the Colonel absently as the Colonel takes a step back.
Colonel: Well, at least, I say, at least I tried to warn you, son. That way, when you come close to losing, you won't be shocked.
Rico: Don't worry about me. I won't come close to losing, so there's nothing to worry about. You helped push me toward the title, and now, I am going to keep it well into next year.
Colonel: You ever think you might be getting over confident?
Rico takes a few steps toward the Colonel, causing him to back up even farther up the ramp. Rico stares a hole in the Colonel before chuckling and stop mid step.
Rico: Over confident?
Colonel: Well, I just mean--
Rico: No, I heard you loud and clear. You think I'm going to cost myself the eventual title match?
Colonel: No, but--
Rico: Oh, I understand. You're jealous, aren't you? Jealous that someone else is finally being successful. Jealous that when the stakes are raised, it's not you there to coach me along, but the Rabbi. So you figure, you can take me off my game to prove a point, is that it.
The Colonel looks around.
Colonel: I never, I say, I never said anything like that!
Rico: And that's the way it better stay. Or else...
Rico glances toward the floor beneath the stage.
Rico: Well, let's just say that you will be replacing a few more hips, old man.
Rico walks up the ramp, brushing past the Colonel and disappearing behind the curtain. The Colonel lets out a deep breath as the scene fades to black.
"Apparently, I've given Branden a big ego. For some reason, he now thinks that he is something to worry about in APW. He thinks that, after what happened at Shockwave, he is the next APW champion. That suddenly, his constant struggles to get out of the mud at the bottom of the ladder, are all going to pay off.
"Will the same happen to you, Shane?
"Granted, you've at least shown yourself capable of doing big things inside of the ring, right? You've at least done something worthwhile, something other than lose match after match. One half of the tag team champions, following Jason Kash around on his coat tails. Picking up the scraps that he drops for you. And now, you think you have what it takes, don't you? You figure that because you defended your titles at Shockwave, you are suddenly pegged for a World title shot.
"Sure, everyone is getting a shot at my belt, but that doesn't mean any of the peasants will win it. That doesn't mean that just anyone will be lucky enough to scrape by and walk out unharmed. And in your case, Borderland, you have to worry about a lot more than just a battle royal or just a singles match against me. No, you have to worry about what will happen in that match, and whether or not you will get to the battle royal.
"Everyone seems to think that fighting against me is some sort of cakewalk, some sort of right of passage. That it will be as easy as fighting someone like, well, like that court jester Branden Harvey. But it's not. Stepping into the ring with me is like taking your life into your hands. It's like signing your waiver so that when you are left immobile, sipping your meals through a straw, you have no one to blame by yourself.
"Big talk, right? That's what you're thinking. You figure that I am just spouting smoke right?
"Right?
"Shane, if you think that, you need to get your head checked. After all, I'm sure you've watched what I have been capable of doing. How I've destroyed everyone that has come across my path. James Chambers, Chris Cyrus, Branden Harvey, Chris Defoe, Delilah, your pal Jason Kash, Most Hated, Isamu Suzuki. What makes you different then any of those names, Shane?
"Nothing. Just like all of them, you are a peasant. Just like each and every one of them you feigned bravery prior to our match, yet in reality, you are fucking scared. Which you very well should be. Anything else and you'd be lying to yourself. Thinking you could topple the King of the Asylum, the King of all this madness, well, that is just you lying to yourself. You trying to make yourself feel better.
"Pointless attempts if I do say so myself. Just like your attempt to make yourself feel better by thinking you can be put on the same level as myself. You want to find out which of us is better? Well, you're looking at him Shane. There is no one in this Asylum better than yours truly. Chambers thought he was better before he ran out of here. BDC thought he was better and then he popped his knee less than a minute into the match. Harvey thinks he is better, but that's probably because he has yet to re-watch Shockwave, where I systematically destroyed him.
"As for thinking this match is easy, well, true. You're no Branden Harvey, so I have no need to worry there, but this match is still going to be far from challenging. This is going to basically be a warm up for my title defense. Something to quench the appetite for destruction that courses through me. Though, perhaps you should take your own words seriously.
"Forget Jason Kash and his title defense.
"Forget the battle royal, at least until after you've lost to me.
"You want a good match? Focus on me. Focus on actually proving something, instead of just pussyfooting around so that you can do better in the battle royal. In fact, I'll even give you the out. I'll spare your life and well being so you can compete later in the night. All you have to do is lie down for me. All you have to do, is lie flat on your ass for the one, two, three. Good deal?
"I doubt you accept it. Knowing you and your desire to prove yourself, you'll shake your head and run headstrong into the match hoping, praying, wishing you were Jason Kash. Wishing you were like the man that walks out before you. The man who can get all the women. Problem is, Shane, Kash lost to me. So as much as you'd like to be like our soon to be former Tap Out champion, just remember that you will end up suffering the same result that he did. You will end up losing quickly. You will end up crying for mercy.
"But you won't find it here.
"You will only find pain. You will only find punishment. You will only find lessons to learn with each and every punch. I can guarantee you that you have never had the...pleasure of stepping into the ring with someone like me. Someone who basically sees red upon entering the ring. Someone with the ability to send an entire roster into hiding, just so they don't have to draw the short straw and fight me. And for some reason, you think you're going to win?
"Hopefully you'll still have your humor when I'm done with you. Hopefully you'll still be able to make light of certain situations after I am finished proving to you why I am the APW World Heavyweight champion. After I prove to you why I am the King of the Asylum. Why two of the so-called biggest men on the Asylum roster turned tail and ran away from the battle.
"I am going to show you what it means to be the Loose Cannon, Shane. I am going to prove to you that you are nothing but an insignificant piece of garbage. Another Branden Harvey trying to get his fifteen minutes of fame. Harvey had his and you will get yours at Asylum.
"But once it's over, don't blame me for your injuries.
"Don't be a fool in my kingdom, Shane."
Rico: This is my show. This is my ring. Everyone things they will be able to stand toe to toe with me, but they're wrong.
Rico continues to smile and nod as a few more lights come on and Colonel Frederick de LaFontaine the third comes walking down the ramp.
Colonel: What, I say, what are you doing out here, champ?
Rico stops in his tracks at the bottom of the ramp and turns his head toward the Colonel.
Rico: This Sunday at Asylum, everyone will be battling it out inside of that ring for a shot at my title. They will try and make each other bleed, all in effort to be able to stand toe to toe with me. And I bet that each and every one of them thinks that they have what it takes. I bet that they all think they will be able to beat me.
Colonel: Why shouldn't they, son? To think otherwise would be a disservice to themselves.
Rico: Why shouldn't they? Because they're only telling themselves lies. They are just setting themselves up for ultimate failure.
Colonel: It wasn't too long ago that a runt nearly took you're title. So, anything's possible.
Rico smirks.
Rico: He thinks he nearly took my title, but he never even came close. I will admit that there were times when he frustrated me because he wouldn't stay down, but he never came close to getting my title. The point is, Colonel, that no matter who wins this battle royal, will get destroyed by yours truly.
Colonel: You seem awfully confident.
Rico: They're going to be battling to bleed one another. They aren't going to be fighting an actual fight. Besides, bleeding is only half the battle. The other half, they still need to beat me.
Colonel: Which is not an easy task, right?
Rico: Exactly. Who knows. Maybe it will just be another punk to dispose of.
Rico looks around the empty arena with a smile still plastered on his face. The Colonel folds his arms over his chest.
Colonel: Considering the match you had at Shockwave, you seem to be raring to go.
Rico: A week can do wonders for someone. Besides, Colonel, I'm always ready to go. I'm always raring to rip someones head off their body. I'd fight each and every night if I could. Regardless of how much blood I shed, I'm still eager to maim some poor peasant.
Colonel: Good, good. Glad to hear, because I'm sure whoever wins that battle royal will give you a fight. Anyone you're looking forward to fighting?
Rico chuckles.
Rico: Truth be told, it wouldn't matter. People are saying that the favorites are Jason Kash and Chris Cyrus, but I've already proven my ability to beat them, and quite handily I might add.
Colonel: Don't you figure they will bring their all during a title match?
Rico: If what Cyrus showed me at Test for the Best is his all, I'm not worried about fighting him again.
Colonel: What about Kash? He's been a different person since you fought.
Rico: Once a peasant, always a peasant Fred. To put it bluntly, the only way there will ever be a new king in this Asylum, in this Kingdom of Madness, is if I die. And it doesn't matter how many peasants Reginald throws my way, each and every one of them will be dealt with.
Rico looks past the Colonel absently as the Colonel takes a step back.
Colonel: Well, at least, I say, at least I tried to warn you, son. That way, when you come close to losing, you won't be shocked.
Rico: Don't worry about me. I won't come close to losing, so there's nothing to worry about. You helped push me toward the title, and now, I am going to keep it well into next year.
Colonel: You ever think you might be getting over confident?
Rico takes a few steps toward the Colonel, causing him to back up even farther up the ramp. Rico stares a hole in the Colonel before chuckling and stop mid step.
Rico: Over confident?
Colonel: Well, I just mean--
Rico: No, I heard you loud and clear. You think I'm going to cost myself the eventual title match?
Colonel: No, but--
Rico: Oh, I understand. You're jealous, aren't you? Jealous that someone else is finally being successful. Jealous that when the stakes are raised, it's not you there to coach me along, but the Rabbi. So you figure, you can take me off my game to prove a point, is that it.
The Colonel looks around.
Colonel: I never, I say, I never said anything like that!
Rico: And that's the way it better stay. Or else...
Rico glances toward the floor beneath the stage.
Rico: Well, let's just say that you will be replacing a few more hips, old man.
Rico walks up the ramp, brushing past the Colonel and disappearing behind the curtain. The Colonel lets out a deep breath as the scene fades to black.
"Apparently, I've given Branden a big ego. For some reason, he now thinks that he is something to worry about in APW. He thinks that, after what happened at Shockwave, he is the next APW champion. That suddenly, his constant struggles to get out of the mud at the bottom of the ladder, are all going to pay off.
"Will the same happen to you, Shane?
"Granted, you've at least shown yourself capable of doing big things inside of the ring, right? You've at least done something worthwhile, something other than lose match after match. One half of the tag team champions, following Jason Kash around on his coat tails. Picking up the scraps that he drops for you. And now, you think you have what it takes, don't you? You figure that because you defended your titles at Shockwave, you are suddenly pegged for a World title shot.
"Sure, everyone is getting a shot at my belt, but that doesn't mean any of the peasants will win it. That doesn't mean that just anyone will be lucky enough to scrape by and walk out unharmed. And in your case, Borderland, you have to worry about a lot more than just a battle royal or just a singles match against me. No, you have to worry about what will happen in that match, and whether or not you will get to the battle royal.
"Everyone seems to think that fighting against me is some sort of cakewalk, some sort of right of passage. That it will be as easy as fighting someone like, well, like that court jester Branden Harvey. But it's not. Stepping into the ring with me is like taking your life into your hands. It's like signing your waiver so that when you are left immobile, sipping your meals through a straw, you have no one to blame by yourself.
"Big talk, right? That's what you're thinking. You figure that I am just spouting smoke right?
"Right?
"Shane, if you think that, you need to get your head checked. After all, I'm sure you've watched what I have been capable of doing. How I've destroyed everyone that has come across my path. James Chambers, Chris Cyrus, Branden Harvey, Chris Defoe, Delilah, your pal Jason Kash, Most Hated, Isamu Suzuki. What makes you different then any of those names, Shane?
"Nothing. Just like all of them, you are a peasant. Just like each and every one of them you feigned bravery prior to our match, yet in reality, you are fucking scared. Which you very well should be. Anything else and you'd be lying to yourself. Thinking you could topple the King of the Asylum, the King of all this madness, well, that is just you lying to yourself. You trying to make yourself feel better.
"Pointless attempts if I do say so myself. Just like your attempt to make yourself feel better by thinking you can be put on the same level as myself. You want to find out which of us is better? Well, you're looking at him Shane. There is no one in this Asylum better than yours truly. Chambers thought he was better before he ran out of here. BDC thought he was better and then he popped his knee less than a minute into the match. Harvey thinks he is better, but that's probably because he has yet to re-watch Shockwave, where I systematically destroyed him.
"As for thinking this match is easy, well, true. You're no Branden Harvey, so I have no need to worry there, but this match is still going to be far from challenging. This is going to basically be a warm up for my title defense. Something to quench the appetite for destruction that courses through me. Though, perhaps you should take your own words seriously.
"Forget Jason Kash and his title defense.
"Forget the battle royal, at least until after you've lost to me.
"You want a good match? Focus on me. Focus on actually proving something, instead of just pussyfooting around so that you can do better in the battle royal. In fact, I'll even give you the out. I'll spare your life and well being so you can compete later in the night. All you have to do is lie down for me. All you have to do, is lie flat on your ass for the one, two, three. Good deal?
"I doubt you accept it. Knowing you and your desire to prove yourself, you'll shake your head and run headstrong into the match hoping, praying, wishing you were Jason Kash. Wishing you were like the man that walks out before you. The man who can get all the women. Problem is, Shane, Kash lost to me. So as much as you'd like to be like our soon to be former Tap Out champion, just remember that you will end up suffering the same result that he did. You will end up losing quickly. You will end up crying for mercy.
"But you won't find it here.
"You will only find pain. You will only find punishment. You will only find lessons to learn with each and every punch. I can guarantee you that you have never had the...pleasure of stepping into the ring with someone like me. Someone who basically sees red upon entering the ring. Someone with the ability to send an entire roster into hiding, just so they don't have to draw the short straw and fight me. And for some reason, you think you're going to win?
"Hopefully you'll still have your humor when I'm done with you. Hopefully you'll still be able to make light of certain situations after I am finished proving to you why I am the APW World Heavyweight champion. After I prove to you why I am the King of the Asylum. Why two of the so-called biggest men on the Asylum roster turned tail and ran away from the battle.
"I am going to show you what it means to be the Loose Cannon, Shane. I am going to prove to you that you are nothing but an insignificant piece of garbage. Another Branden Harvey trying to get his fifteen minutes of fame. Harvey had his and you will get yours at Asylum.
"But once it's over, don't blame me for your injuries.
"Don't be a fool in my kingdom, Shane."
