| El_Pablo | Date: Friday, 2011/08/26, 7:14 PM | Message # 1 |
 Jobber
Group: TDS member/moderator
Messages: 22
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| The screen opens on darkness, although this swiftly dissipates, bringing us face-to-(masked) face with the aforementioned Five Star Superstar himself. While the extreme zoom on the camera prohibits us from seeing much beyond his wrestling mask, we can at least see that - wherever he currently is, and whatever he is currently doing - he appears to be concentrating extremely hard, such is the rather pained, intense expression on his face.
EL PABLO: Hmmm…
Slowly, the camera begins to pull out, revealing a small series of playing cards, fanned open in EP’s hand. The Five Star Superstar continues to study his hand - well, not HIS hand, the hand inside his hand.. you know what I mean, stop being a dick! - for a few moments, before turning to his left.
EL PABLO: Do you have any.. threes?
The camera swings to the right slightly, bringing into view the head and upper torso of EP’s girlfriend and fellow EWA Superstar Cristal. However, whereas you might now be expecting me to mention her own small collection of cards clutched tight within her hand, on this occasion, the blonde diva has BOTH her prehensile extremities (thankYOU Wikipedia!) clasped around some kind of electronic video game controller, her thumbs hammering feverishly against the various buttons extending therefrom. She does not break her intense concentration as EP's question filters through her ears, although the subtle arching of an eyebrow can quickly be seen through the holes in her mask.
CRISTAL: Erm, Pabs.. we're playing Tekken.
The camera suddenly snaps back, revealing the couple sat on a plush black leather couch in the middle of what appears to be a rather large apartment. Both are dressed in rather more "civilian" attire than we are used to seeing them in - EP in a Leeds United soccer jersey and jeans, Cristal in a black "Five Star Superstar" t-shirt dress with grey leggings - although, obviously, the masks remain as a matter of course. It is only now that the sound of digitised combat can be heard eminating from the large flatscreen TV stood in the foreground of the shot. EP glances snappily between his cards and the TV, as Cristal continues to pound the buttons.
EL PABLO: ..Ah.
CRISTAL: BOOM!!! And the great El Pablo is humbled, once again, by the TRUE Five Star Superstar.. CRISTAL!!!!! In yo FACE!!!
The triumphant Cristal leaps to her feet, fists thrust aloft as she tosses the controller into the air and crashing down onto the cream-carpet floor. She then breaks into the most gangsta victory dance you've ever seen (seriously, I'd describe it to you, but it really wouldn't do even half the justice to the sheer "hipness" of it), as EP resignedly dumps his cards onto the coffee table in front of them. He sighs, and then looks at Cristal as she continues her celebration, a wry smile spreading across his face as he begins to nod his head slightly.
EL PABLO: ..You do realise the cameras are rolling, right?
If Cristal is intended to be surprised or embarassed by this potential revelation, she does not show it, instead merely turning to the camera without breaking stride and firing off a fingergun in the audience's direction.
CRISTAL: Word.
EL PABLO: ..Soooo, you were serious about breaking it out in front of the whole world, huh?
CRISTAL: You knows it!
EP's smile extends into a smirk.
EL PABLO: ..Even the bit where you shove your crotch in my face?
Cristal turns to face EP, now smirking herself, as she dances towards him. She stands in front of him, her back to the camera, and raises a leg, placing her foot on the arm of the couch.. then swings it round, playfully kicking EP in the side of the head. EP crumples to the cushions, as Cristal completes a 180-degree spin and sits down in front of him, leaning back and hooking his leg as if attempting a pin-fall. Much giggling ensues, until EP sits up and wraps his hands around Cristal's neck, pulling her down in front of him and drawing her in for a nice romantic lip-lock. This lingers for a few moments, before the couple's attentions are diverted by a cellphone on the coffee table vibrating into life, the familiar-to-some riff of "Been Training Dogs" by the Cooper Temple Clause fading in out of the speaker. EP leans over Cristal and grabs the phone, answering the call and pressing the device to his ear.
EL PABLO: EYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
...
What's up, buddy!?
...
No, not yet.. is it good?
...
Oh reallyyyyy?
...
No shit? Number One Contender's match!?
...
That's awesome! Who am I against?
...
Haha! ..No, seriously, who?
...
EP's demeanor shifts from its normal jovial nature to one of confused skepticism, as he slowly peels himself off the couch and gets to his feet.
EL PABLO: Really?
...
But.. it can't be him!
...
Because, that's.. like.. HUGE! Surely if I was down to face him with that kind of stipulation they'd give it a proper announcement!
...
We're the two biggest fan-favourites in the company, Adam - by some considerable distance, I might add.. I'm pretty sure any kind of collision between the two of us would warrant just a little bit of fanfare, let alone one with stakes this high! It's just good business sense!
EP makes his way across the apartment, the camera following alongside as he steps into the kitchen and approaches a small dining table, at which EWA Interviewer Ryan Lewis is sat, all suited and booted and ready for business, tucking into a bowl of Lucky Charms as he holds a cellphone of his own to his ear.
RYAN LEWIS: I dunno what to tell you Pablo! They gave a little teaser to it in a backstage exclusive on the website, but I guess they just thought it'd work better as a surprise announcement!
EL PABLO: I dunno.. it just doesn't make any sense to me...
RYAN LEWIS: You've spent the last two months playing bullshit card games with a combination of dead celebrities and fictional characters, and THIS doesn't make sense to you?
EL PABLO: ..Fair point.
EP takes a seat opposite Lewis, as the two continue to talk via cellphone despite obviously communicating with each other.
RYAN LEWIS: Fact is, regardless of how much sense you think it makes.. it's El Pablo versus Crimson Blaze at Rising From The Flames.. one-on-one.. with the winner being crowned the Number One Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.
EP sighs, although his mouth is once again curved in a slight smirk.
EL PABLO: Well then.. this throws up some interesting conundrums...
RYAN LEWIS: I know! Like, do you think you're gonna have to adjust your strategy and your gameplan somewhat, considering Blaze is one of your best friends within this industry and knows your fighting style inside and out?
EP cocks an eyebrow at Lewis.
EL PABLO: ..No, of course not. Blaze has got nothing on this!
Dramatic pause.
EL PABLO: I'm thinking more along the lines of.. we're two very popular wrestlers, right?
RYAN LEWIS: Right.
EL PABLO: Like, REALLY popular.
RYAN LEWIS: Sure are.
EL PABLO: I'm talking "peaches and cream with a side of fries" popular.
RYAN LEWIS: Erm.. right...
EL PABLO: And, this is one dramatic match we've got set up for us at Rising From The Flames.
RYAN LEWIS: Dramatic match.
EL PABLO: It's like.. "Mount Vesuvius going off in the middle of a hurricane while Zeus gets butt-fucked by Superman with a sledgehammer" ..dramatic.
RYAN LEWIS: ...
EL PABLO: And the thing is.. normally when the stakes are this high, you find the confrontation being between ONE guy the fans all wanna take turns touching on, and another guy who.. frankly.. is a fucking asshole.
RYAN LEWIS: Well Blaze and Marsham fought it out a couple of shows ago, and that went over pretty well...
EL PABLO: Well, yeah, but as sporting and respectful as Marsham is now, he still doesn't really hold a candle to Blaze in the popularity stakes. When it comes down to it, he's still gonna get booed when going up against a real merch-mover.
RYAN LEWIS: Okay...
EL PABLO: With ME and Blaze, however.. I mean, who are the people gonna root for? How are the fans really gonna get into seeing two people battle for some of the highest stakes in the game, when they're both all handshakes and smiles and "aww look at the kittens"?
RYAN LEWIS: Well, I mean th-
EL PABLO: They won't, Ryan.
RYAN LEWIS: But they c-
EL PABLO: For seriously.
Ryan sighs.
RYAN LEWIS: So what are you saying?
EL PABLO: Well.. you remember back in CZW when I fought my good friend and stablemate Ace King for this very same opportunity?
RYAN LEWIS: I do...
EL PABLO: Well then, you may also remember the certain.. "adjustments" ..I made to my character ahead of that match...
RYAN LEWIS: I.. think so...
EL PABLO: Well, just in case, allow me to refresh your memory... ROLL VIDEO!
EP snaps his head towards the camera, extending an arm and pointing right down the lens, a showbiz smile etched upon his face. Ryan looks around, confused.
RYAN LEWIS: ..What vi-
-----F-L-A-S-H-B-A-C-K-----
The screen cuts, transporting us to the interior of a packed-out arena that has been set up for a large-scale wrestling event. The large amount of branding plastered throughout the arena informs us that the event in question is CZW:Assault, and as the camera zooms slowly down from the rafters, we can see that the event is already well underway, and that a lone figure is already in the ring, microphone in hand. The figure is a young man, barely in his 20s judging by the freshness of his features. The top of his head is concealed beneath a black beanie hat, while a pair of black shades cover his eyes. This vibrant colour scheme extends down over the rest of his body - a black sports jacket, black fingerless gloves, and black cargo pants, with only a pair of white sneakers breaking the monochromacity of the man's attire. The more long-term fans of CZW may recognize this person as El Pablo in his pre-mask days.. to those unfamiliar, this person is El Pablo, in his pre-mask days.
EL PABLO: So now back to the matter at hand, tonight's match! Now I'm sure a lot of you are sat there wondering, "who do I want to win? I can't possibly decide between 'The Gambler' Ace King and 'The Five Star Superstar' El Pablo! One's a former Intercontinental Champion, the other's the current X-Champion, and both are devilishly handsome competitors with great selections of official merchandise available for purchase from CZWshop.com!" Let me just ask you, WHO HERE WANTS ACE KING TO WIN!?
El Pablo looks around as the crowd lets out a huge cheer in support for "The Gambler".
EL PABLO: And.. WHO HERE WANTS THE FIVE STAR SUPERSTAR TO WIN!?
El Pablo holds his arms in the air as the crowd lets out an ever-so-slightly louder cheer for their fellow countryman.
EL PABLO: Yeah, that's what I thought, tough call huh? Well, I've been doing some thinking about this as well, and.. well.. I thought I'd do something to help out, and make it a bit less stressful to decide just who you want to cheer on in this match tonight. Now before I continue, this is gonna be slightly "controversial", and I know some of you people aren't gonna like it. Hell, I might be lucky to make it out of this city alive afterwards! BUT.. *takes a deep breath* In the spirit of competition..
El Pablo grabs the zip to his coat and slowly draws it down. He drops the microphone and whips the coat off both shoulders, revealing a Leeds United football shirt, fierce local rivals of the two Sheffield clubs. Upon seeing this, a large amount of playful booing starts ringing out round the arena, gradually getting louder as El Pablo raises his arms again and slowly spins round allowing the whole arena to see. He picks the microphone up again, raises his lips, and slowly starts singing.
EL PABLO: HERE WE GO WITH LEEDS UNITED!
WE'RE GONNA GIVE THE BOYS A HAND!
STAND UP AND SING FOR LEEDS UNITED!
THEY ARE THE GREATEST IN THE LAND!
EVERY DAY,
WE'RE ALL GONNA SAY,
WE LOVE YOU LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS!
EVERYWHERE,
WE'RE GONNA BE THERE,
WE LOVE YOU LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS!
MARCHING ON TOGETHER!
WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU WIN, NAH NANAH NAH NAH NAH,
WE ARE SO PROUD!
WE'RE SHOUTING IT OUT LOUD
WE LOVE YOU LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS!
El Pablo lowers the microphone again and looks round grinning as the locals continue to voice their disapproval. After a few seconds a chant of "We All Hate Leeds Scum" starts filtering round the arena. Upon hearing this, El Pablo bursts out laughing, and starts thumping the badge on his shirt. The screen suddenly fades, transferring us back into EP's kitchen, where neither the Five Star Superstar nor Ryan Lewis have broken their pre-flashback poses. These positions are held for just long enough to make it a little awkward, before EP snaps back round to face Lewis.
-----E-N-D---F-L-A-S-H-B-A-C-K-----
EL PABLO: You see?
RYAN LEWIS: ..See WHAT!? You just pointed at the camera and then snapped right back to me!
EL PABLO: Oh yeah.. I forget how that works. Anyway, point is, every great dramatic conflict needs a good guy and a bad guy... This Tuesday night, EWA gets introduced to.. EL DIABLO.
After yet another suitably-dramatic pause, EP and Lewis hang up their phones, and set them down on the table. Lewis goes to take in another spoonful of cereal, but instead eats a face-full of EP's hand as the Five Star Superstar slaps him hard across the face.
EL PABLO: How the FUCK did you get into my apartment!?
The screen fades to black.
----------*****----------
The darkness quickly fades, revealing a shift in location to a fairly-crowded city street, down which EP and Cristal are hurriedly making their way, Ryan Lewis struggling to keep pace behind them. As is often the way with this kind of scene, EP and Cristal are, for some reason, able to drift through the crowd like a dandelion seed on a warm summer breeze, whereas Lewis seems to be making a concerted effort to bump into anyone and anything that approaches.
RYAN LEWIS: But.. GAH!.. EP.. How do.. expect to play the.. bad guy? I mean.. with all.. oof!.. due respect.. you've never really been that convincing when you try the whole "asshole" thing.
This comment causes EP to stop abruptly, and the Five Star Superstar turns to face Lewis with a look of indignation on his face.
EL PABLO: What are you talking about, Lewis?
RYAN LEWIS: Well.. the last time you went down this road, you wound up in a cook-off with Brian Blaze and I got assaulted by the entire women's locker room.
EL PABLO: HAHA!! Oh yeah, that was good times! Anyway, I see what you're saying, Lewis.. and that's why I've arranged to have a little bit of help in sculpting myself to be a truly malevolent asshole!
EP smirks at Lewis, then turns away and continues his march up the street. Lewis nods his head, then starts to resume his chase.. until he suddenly stops again, confusion once more plastered across his face.
RYAN LEWIS: ..Wait, help? What kind of help?
The screen fades to black once again.Added (2011/08/26, 7:14 PM)
---------------------------------------------
After nary a second of blackness, the actions resumes once again, having this time transported us to a third location; a large, well-stocked - if kind of run-down - gymnasium, the kind of establishment in which one might expect to see a film character cross paths and renew acquaintancies with an old foe or sparring partner, whose career maybe hasn't gone in quite the same direction as our star. The camera focuses on a double-doored fire exit, situated towards the back of the hall, which promptly bursts open as the camera zooms in toward it, signalling the arrival of El Pablo, Cristal and Ryan Lewis.
EL PABLO: Cris.. Ryan.. allow me to introduce you to "Red Hot" Lee Boston.
The camera cuts to show the gym from the trio's viewpoint, revealing a wrestling ring set up in the centre of the hall. A small audience of uniformly-dressed youths has gathered around the set-up, their eyes transfixed on what appears to be a rather intense sparring session being conducted within the ropes. Of the two men involved, one is dressed in a manner similar to those watching from the outside. The other - presumably the trainer or instructor of the group - is shirtless, with a pair of black wristbands being the only form of clothing or fabric on his entire upper body. His lower half is covered in a pair of black sweatpants, hanging down over black leather wrestling boots, with a single red stripe running up either side of the leg. If someone were to use his character in one of those online Wrestling E-Fed things, they'd probably use someone like Tazz (but obviously the Tazz who wears pants, not the lady's bathing suit).
RYAN LEWIS: Who's Lee Boston?
EL PABLO: An old rival of mine from my first gig over here in the States. The shit he and I put each other through during our battles.. shit, even the Mayhem brothers would be telling us to take a step back and breathe for a moment!
CRISTAL: Oh shit! He's the guy you had that.. "Satan's Doorway" match with, right?
EL PABLO: The very same.
RYAN LEWIS: Satan's Doorway?
EL PABLO: Think a Buried Alive match, but with fire. Lots and lots of fire.
RYAN LEWIS: Damn.
EL PABLO: Yep. I'm telling you, this guy right here could start a riot at a Pillows and Bunnies convention!
The trio watch on in silence as Boston hauls the student up from the canvas, and whips him hard against the turnbuckle. The student stumbles forward, and Boston drapes him over his shoulders, carrying him into the centre of the ring. He pauses.. then lets out a monstrous roar, swings the student forward off his shoulder and drives him down across his knee with a sickening backbreaker. Boston maintains his grip on the student's head and neck, allowing him to pull him back upright.. twist him into a front facelock.. and plant him with a DEVESTATING DDT.
RYAN LEWIS: Oh FUCK!!!
EL PABLO: Yeahaha!
The student crumples to the mat, as Boston covers him, shouting out his own count.
BOSTON: ONE! ... TWO! ... THREE!!!
Boston then leaps to his feet and starts putting the boots to the helpless student, kicking him towards the ropes.
BOSTON: Huh!? What now, huh!? What you got!? HUH!?
Boston then bends down and drags the student up off the mat..
BOSTON: Get the fuck out of my ring!
..and tosses him through the ropes to the outside.
BOSTON: Ya piece of shit!
Some of the students tend to their fallen classmate, as Boston storms across the ring, ripping a towel off one of the turnbuckles and rubbing it over his head and upper body.
CRISTAL: Wow.. he's really mean.
EL PABLO: No shit.
EP makes his way over to the ring, Cristal and Lewis following rather hesitantly behind. EP climbs up onto the apron, then vaults over the top rope to take a seat on the turnbuckle across the ring from Boston, who has his back turned and is yet to notice his guest.
EL PABLO: So.. I guess it wasn't just your body that went up in flames, but your career as well, huh?
Boston screws his face up, as the Five Star Superstar's voice immediately rings familiar within his head. He turns.. but, obviously not familiar with EP's new taste in fashion, is immediately struck with confusion.
BOSTON: What the.. who the hell are you?
EL PABLO: Ohhhh, come on now.. you know me! We've basically been best buddies ever since I left you laying on your back amongst a nice big pile of broken wood and twisted metal!
Boston's eyes narrow, his initial conclusions obviously confirmed.
BOSTON: El Pablo...
EP smirks, extending his arms out beside him, palms spread open.
EL PABLO: The very same!
Silence falls upon the gymnasium, the two not breaking eye contact with one another. Suddenly, Boston starts to growl.. a growl that quickly grows into a roar, as he charges across the ring towards the Five Star Superstar. Before he can get there, however, Pablo rolls back off the turnbuckle, landing on his feet on the floor below.
EL PABLO: Still a minute and a half off the pace, huh?
EP begins to circle the outside of the ring, as Boston follows his path on the inside, the scowl not shifting from his face.
BOSTON: Shut up and get in here and face me like a man, you fucking bitch!
EP smirks, as Boston steps back from the ropes, apparently affording his long-time foe the opportunity to take him up on his challenge. EP steps forward, and rolls under the bottom rope.
BOSTON: That's it...
EP gets to his feet, and strides purposefully towards Boston, who does the same from his side of the ring. As the two reach the centre of the ring, they come crashing together.. in a warm, brotherly embrace, Boston's face finally breaking into a big smile.
BOSTON: Damn, it's good to see you man! How long's it been?
EL PABLO: About 4 years, give or take.
BOSTON: Shit! That long?
EL PABLO: I know, right!?
BOSTON: What you been doing with yourself?
EL PABLO: Oh please, like you don't know!
BOSTON: ..Yeahhhh, alright, I've seen ya! Congratulations man, on everything! And I do mean.. everything.
Boston casts his gaze over towards Cristal, a gaze which EP promptly follows, a grin spreading across his face as the reference becomes clear.
EL PABLO: Heh.. thanks man.
EP beckons for Cristal to join him in the ring, a request with which she gingerly complies.
EL PABLO: Lee Boston, this is Cristal.. Cristal, this is "Red Hot" Lee Boston.
Boston offers his hand, which Cristal accepts, a hearty shake being offered between the two as well as a courteous kiss on the cheek.
BOSTON: "Red Hot" in history only, my man.. I don't roll like that no more.
EL PABLO: Awww, for real? What happened?
BOSTON: Injuries, man. Should've scaled down the ladders from 20-feet to 15-feet once I hit the other side of the peak. But, one bold move.. one clipped turnbuckle.. and that was me done.
EL PABLO: Wow that sucks, man.. really.
BOSTON: It's cool, man. Now I get to help bring through the next generation of crazy fucks, see if we can't get anyone to match the kind of shit we brought to the business!
EL PABLO: Haha! Good luck with that!
BOSTON: Hey, a man can dream, right? Haha.
EL PABLO: Always gotta have a dream. Anyway.. the reason I'm here is.. well.. I need your help.
BOSTON: My help? What for?
EL PABLO: Well.. as you may know, I've got a Pay-Per-View match coming up Tuesday night...
BOSTON: Right, right.. you and Crimson Blaze for the Number One Contender spot to the EWA World Heavyweight Championship, I gotcha.
EL PABLO: You got me! Basically, I kinda don't want the match to be let down on the dramatic front by the fact you have two best buds going at it one-on-one. I wanna give the people something they can really get excited about. Something shocking.. something fresh.. something they'll never see coming.
BOSTON: Okay...
EL PABLO: So, I figured the best way to do that would be for me to give the Citizens of the Empire the opportunity to cheer.. the opportunity to boo.. the opportunity to hate.. and the opportunity to really really REALLY wish that at least one of the competitors involved would get their spot-monkeying ass kicked!
The smile slowly spreads back across the face of Lee Boston, as he begins to follow EP's trail of thought.
EL PABLO: Basically... I, El Pablo.. need you, Lee Boston.. to help me become a complete.. fucking.. ASSHOLE.
BOSTON: Hahaha... I dunno, man.. you're pretty much the most over Englishmen I've ever seen in the States since Hugh Laurie... You really think we've got enough time to turn all that around before you have to make your way down that ramp?
EP begins to smirk his trademark smirk, and turns to face the camera slightly.
EL PABLO: Please.. there's always plenty of time to do anything.. when you kick it in a sweet-ass montage!
-----*****/\/\/-M-O-N-T-A-G-E-\/\/\*****-----
In the ring, Boston begins to circle around one side of it, motioning for EP to do the same. EP obliges, and the two complete a couple of laps before Boston signals for the two to lock up. They move to the centre of the ring, and EP raises his arms.. only for Boston to suddenly retreat, drop to the mat and roll under the ropes to the outside. EP steps towards the ropes, arms extended in protestation as he looks down at Boston, who just smirks at him and taps the side of his head.
-----*****-----
EP sits at what appears to be your standard classroom desk, watching intently as Boston conducts some form of lecture in front of a large, old-fashioned chalkboard. The board has been covered with a large spider diagram, the subject of which is "Average Pro-Wrestling Audience Member". Several "legs" extend out from this diagram, each leading to a rather less-than-flattering adjective; Overweight, Unemployed, Stupid, Sheep, Supportive of a Lacklustre Sports Team, Virgin (male)/Easy (female).
-----*****-----
In the ring, EP and one of Boston's students have begun to circle. The student moves to lock up, to which EP responds by slowly and rather clumsily getting down to one knee.. then one knee and both hands.. then all fours.. then down onto his stomach.. then pin-rolling away towards the ropes as the student looks on utterly bewildered. This bewilderment only increases when EP, due to the shape of his body, manages to roll in somewhat of an arc, ending up near the turnbuckle. Not to be outdone, EP pulls himself out between the bottom and middle rope, and tumbles down to the floor, as Boston facepalms with all the resignation and quiet indignation of seven internets.
-----*****-----
In the ring, Boston and EP have taken up position by one of the ropes, and are being filmed from the dramatic "gazing up at your idols" angle so often used by televised wrestling shows. The camera closes in on Boston, who extends his arms out to the side, his arms slightly curved and his palms turned towards the ceiling; his eyes closed and his mouth curved in a smile formed from a perfect mixture of smugness and arrogance. The camera then pans across to EP.. who is delivering a perfect showbiz Double-Thumbs-Up right down into the camera lens, a big beaming grin on his face. The camera lingers on the Five Star Superstar for a few moments, before panning back across to Boston, who has now moved across to the turnbuckle, and is bashing his head repeatedly against the top padding.
-----*****-----
EP, Boston and Cristal are gathered at the cash desk of what appears to be some kind of sporting goods store, each with their back to the camera. They converse excitedly with each other as a clerk approaches from the back of the store, carrying a neatly-folded piece of midnight green material in his arms. The expression on his face is not as chipper as one might expect from a professional salesperson; indeed, he looks downright angry, failing to restrain a glare at the three customers as he hands the product over to El Pablo. EP turns to face Boston and unfurls the item, angling his body so the camera can perfectly make out what it is; a current-season Philadelphia Eagles football jersey, with "JACKSON 38" printed on the back. Boston gives EP the thumbs up, and slams a wad of cash down on the desk, as EP tosses the jersey over his shoulder and the three make their exit, the clerk continuing to stare daggers at them as they go.
-----*****-----
In the ring, Boston watches as the same student from earlier gets groggily to his feet, as EP looks on from the corner. As the student steadies, Boston approaches, and offers his hand for shaking. The student looks down at it rather hesitantly, but eventually accepts. The two shake hands, before the student turns away and goes to exit the ring.. but Boston keeps hold, and hauls the student back in, dropping him with a brutal clothesline. Boston then turns to EP, and motions for him to repeat what he's just seen. EP steps up, and as the student struggles back to his feet once more, EP offers his own hand. The student resignedly accepts, shakes, and then turns away.. pulling EP off balance and sending him crashing face-first to the mat. The camera pans down, watching as the Five Star Superstar writhes about on the canvas clutching his nose, before turning back over to Boston in the corner, who - once again - has brought palm to face with a shake of his head.
-----*****-----
EP and a bespectacled student are stood nose-to-nose in the centre of the ring, each with a microphone in hand.
STUDENT: You're the only man I've ever seen who manages to ruin gay, ninja AND squirrel fashion all at the same time!
EP scoffs, then raises his own mic to his lips.
EL PABLO: Oh yeah? Well.. you wear glasses because.. your vision.. is somewhat inferior to the.. average person..WOT!?!?
-----*****-----
Our three heroesSORRY, villains are walking down a sparsely-populated sidewalk, when a teenage girl bounds excitedly up to EP, autograph book clutched tightly in her trembling hands. EP happily grants her an autograph, as well as a cheerful photograph.. an act of generosity that does not appear to go down too well with Boston, who promptly slaps an oblivious EP round the back of the head as the Five Star Superstar returns to him.
-----*****-----
In the ring, EP and the student are once again circling. They move to lock up, only for EP to suddenly turn and sprint across the ring, sliding out under the ropes to the outside. Boston applauds, but his congratulations are abruptly haulted when EP gets to his feet and continues sprinting across the gym, hurling himself full-tilt through one of the large glass wall panels at the far end. Boston clutches his hands around his bald head, as EP staggers back to his feet amongst a thousand shards of glass, then stumbles away down the corridor and out of sight.
-----*****-----
The trio are sat in a posh looking restaurant, currently recieving expensive-looking plates of food from a suited-and-booted member of the waiting staff. The waiter looks on as EP takes a mouthful of his dish.. then presses his fingers to his pursed lips and blows a kiss into the ether, expressing his distinct approval of the meal. Once again, however, Boston appears unimpressed, shaking his head as he wags a finger in EP's direction. The Five Star Superstar gestures for Boston to show him how it's done, and Boston obliges by taking a mouthful of his own meal.. stewing on it for a second.. then leaping to his feet and turning the table onto its side, sending foot, cutlery, crockery and all manner of expensive looking decorations crashing to the floor.
-----*****-----
Out on the streets again, our trio are once again approached for a Five Star Autograph, this time by a small boy, looking no older than 11 or 12 years old. Before he can reach his hero, however, EP bursts in front of Boston, and bicycle-kicks the child right in the face, sending him crashing out of shot and down to the concrete sidewalk. EP throws his fists in the air, as Cristal and even Boston recoil in horror, eyes darting between EP and the child he's potentially just decapitated. A crowd of bystanders quickly begins to form at front of shot where the boy fell, many of whom have cellphones clutched to their ears, as Boston grabs EP by the shoulder and leads him back up the street in a hasty retreat.
-----*****-----
Back in the restaurant, Boston stands engaging in an animated discussion with two uniformed police officers, while Cristal sits in front of a pile of partially-dismantled table and completely-dismanted main course, eating a long twirl of tomato sauce-laden spaghetti off the plate sat currently on her lap. In the background, we can see EP climbing up onto another table and leaping off, hitting an elbow drop on what one can only assume is the waiter from earlier. EP then leaps back to his feet, and shoves a woman out of her chair, which he then brings crashing down in the same spot he just landed, bits of wood flying everywhere upon impact.
-----*****-----
In the ring, the student stalks a gingerly-rising EP, obviously preparing to execute some kind of finishing maneuvre. Suddenly, Cristal leaps up onto the apron, alerting the attention of referee Lee Boston, who marches over to try and remove her from the theatre of conflict. Unaware of the interference, the student approaches EP as he finally gets to his feet.. only for the Five Star Superstar to spin round, drop to his knees, and throw his arm up between the student's legs, crushing his testicles with a sickening low blow. The student doubles over, his face contorted in a manner no man's face should ever have to contort in, as EP springs to his feet, hooks the student's neck, and DRILLS him with the Identity Crisis. The momentum having suitably shifted, Cristal drops from the apron, allowing Boston to turn back to the action as EP places a single knee over the students chest, extending his arms in a god-like manner and tilting his head to the sky with a smug smirk. Boston counts..
ONE!
-
TWO!
-
THREE!!!
-----*****/\/\/-M-O-N-T-A-G-E-\/\/\*****-----
The music fades, and EP leaps to his feet, Boston following just behind as the two engage in a congratulatory handshake.
BOSTON: Alright man, I think you're ready!
EL PABLO: I think you're right. BUT.. there's one very important piece of this pro-wrestling puzzle I still need to find, in order to make this transition truly complete.
BOSTON: And that is..?
EL PABLO: I need a good old-fashioned "Insurance Policy" down at ringside with me, just in case one man's devious and devillish tactics aren't enough to get the job done.
A wry smile spreads across Boston's face.
BOSTON: You got anyone in mind?
EL PABLO: As a matter of fact.. I think I know EXACTLY who I can bring down with me, to really make sure those yokels direct every last bit of hate and bile brewing in their fat, disgusting bodies down in my direction.
The two start to laugh devilishly as the screen fades to black.
----------*****----------
The darkness filters out once again, revealing yet another change in location.
A thick curtain hangs down before us, spanning the entire length and breadth of the shot. The fabric is mainly black in colour, although the centre of it has been decorated with a mock-up of the official promotional poster for Rising From The Flames. Standing just to the right of shot is Ryan Lewis, dressed in the same formal clothing we saw him dressed in at the start of this production, microphone clutched to his chest. He awaits his cue from the director, then raises the mic to his lips.
RYAN LEWIS: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to an EXCLUSIVE 3PV report - that's Pre-Pay-Per-View Report - broadcasting ONLY on EWA.com! Now, obviously there are all manner of high-stakes confrontations scheduled to take place on this show, but my guest at this time will perhaps be involved in the most dramatic of them all, when he competes for the right to be considered the Number One Contender to the EWA World Heavyweight Championship against his long-time friend and one-time stablemate, Crimson Blaze.
VOICE: I'LL tell you about Crimson Blaze!!!
Ryan's attentions are diverted mid-flow, as El Pablo swaggers into shot, Cristal by his side. The Five Star Superstar is dressed in his usual ring gear, with the one obvious addition of his previously-acquired Philadelphia Eagles jersey worn proudly over the top of his shirt. He has a cocky smile on his face, but this quickly transforms into an expression rather more intense and serious as he takes up position beside Lewis, who raises the mic gingerly to the Five Star Superstar's lips.
EL PABLO: You've heard of The Little Engine That Could? Well Crimson Blaze is the Little Engine That THOUGHT He Could, Got Himself All Fired Up, But Hit The Curve Way Too Fast And Went Careering Off In A Hilarious Combination Of Smoke, Fire, Chaos, Self-Destruction And Shattered Dreams!
Crimson Blaze is like a glider; undeniably impressive when being carried towards the stratosphere by something with an actual means of propelling itself towards the stars, but once left to its own devices, you know it's gonna be nothing more than a slow, downward descent back into the valley from whence it came. Unless, of course, that glider comes up against some form of turbulence, in which case you'll probably find that descent become rather more hurried, and culminating in a big ball of flames somewhere halfway up the very mountain it was hoping to soar above.
In this case.. that turbulence.. is yours truly. The Five Star Superstar. The Psychadelic Samurai. The man who has been out of the World Heavyweight Championship picture for far, FAR too long, and is gonna do absolutely ANYTHING within his power to force his way back in; and I'm not talking impressionistic brushstrokes here, Lewis. I'm talking straight-up carving my name into that canvas, so that NOTHING can ever erase the name EL PABLO from that mountain top!
Ryan looks on, apparently stunned at what he's just heard.
RYAN LEWIS: Well.. erm.. with all due respect, I think you're being a little harsh on Cr-
EL PABLO: Harsh!?
Lewis, let's take a look at this big "career-defining moment" Blaze is apparently pinning all his hope in his ability to put me down on. Yes, Blaze did face our good friend and then-stablebuddy Ace King for the World Heavyweight Championship back in CZW.. but ask yourself this: Would he have EVER found himself in that kind of position were he not already so closely allied with the Champion? Do you REALLY think a guy whose previous crowning achievements were a 2-week X-Title reign and a FOUR DAY Tag Title reign would've found himself anywhere near the biggest prize in the business had he not been aligned with THE most high-profile, successful, innovative, headline-making, dominant stable in the history of that company, if not the entire business as a whole?
RYAN LEWIS: Well, I...
EL PABLO: No, he would not. Ace and I thrust him into the spotlight, and - while he might undoubtedly shine out with the best of them while performing in a chorus line - every time it's come to the big solo number, he's barely been able to take his hand away from his face and stop himself being dazzled on the spot.
RYAN LEWIS: But Pablo, that wasn't exactly the only time he's competed for the big one! What about his match with Justin Marsham just over a month ago?
EP scoffs, his eyes rolling in indignation.
EL PABLO: Ok, and what exactly did he do to earn that one?
RYAN LEWIS: He..
EL PABLO: He LOST.. along with me.. in a tag match against Chris Johnson and Marcellus Payne. Then Justin Marsham saunters out, apparently attempting to convince everyone that he's now suddenly all about sportsmanship and comeraderie and blah blah blah, and decides to toss Blaze a title shot seemingly out of the blue! Fuck, I did about as much to earn that title shot as Blaze did.. we were both laying unconscious on the floor not 5 minutes before it was announced!
Look, I'm not out here to doubt Crimson Blaze's heart.. his passion.. his will to win and his all-consuming desire to succeed. Yes, if heart and passion was all it took, Blaze would have a trophy cabinet so big you'd need sunglasses just to step onto his block.. but heart and passion ISN'T all it takes.
Hell, half the nimrods sat in those Colloseum seats clapping like retarded sealions every fortnight have the heart and passion to hold that World Heavyweight Championship above their heads, but I'd feel like I was guilty of attempted manslaughter allowing them in the ring with even Ivan A. Jobalot!
Heart and passion does not get you success in this business, skill and ability does; and Blaze.. buddy.. pal.. friend o'mine.. I'm just so much better than you.
I've held more titles and accolades within this business than you've had mornings where you can roll over in your over-compensatingly-large bed and give a tender kiss to whatever mid-card piece of tin you've managed to rent out that fortnight. Shit, you should know that yourself already, seeing as you spent enough time in that XTC locker-room watching me polish them!
I'm the Five Star Superstar, Blaze.. and you.. you just aren't.
So go ahead.. bring your heart.. bring your passion.. bring your spirit and desire.. your Kode Of Silence and your Infrared Van Blazinators... but just know that, at the end of the day, there is only ONE WAY our match at Rising From The Flames is ending up; and that is with you once again falling short, and finding yourself on the receiving end of a scalding-hot..
EL..
PABLO..
EXPERIENCE!
..Ain't no Miracle At The Meadowlands here, people. Blaze may have the heart of a Giant.. but as all you happy-clappy sheep and sealions out there will soon come to realise.. there ain't SHIT the Giants can do, when they come up against the beauty and majesty of the Eagle.
Fly, Pablo, Fly, on the Road to Victory.. Fight, Pablo, Fight, pin that Crimson 1-2-3...
EP gets right up close to the camera lens, pulling on his jersey so the Eagles' logo is displayed clearly on-screen.
EL PABLO: Let's see you cheer me now, bitches...
EP flashes a wry, somewhat malevolent smile down the camera lens, as the scene fades to black for the final time.
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