Pre show Character promo thread

[Adam D]

If you want to promo before you commit to a card, then do so below....

[Adam D]

*Breaking News*.......Hobo appears to appear on Sky Sports News....Live in Studio....*Breaking News*

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Presenter: Welcome back to Sky Sports News. Todays Headlines.

Bale still not a Real Madrid Player...yet. The Spanish Giants make improved bid.
The Ashes 3rd Test kick off this morning at Old Trafford. We'll be going there shortly for a full report.

Presenter: But now I am delighted to be joined by a true wrestling legend. Forget Hogan, Forget the Rock, this guy revolutionised wrestling in the last 5 years and has gone on to become a true legend amongst real wrestling fans. Lets all welcome Hobo to the studio....

*A few claps can be heard, including at least one ironic slow clap*

Hobo: Thank you for the warm welcome.

Presenter: so after over a year of inactivity, why have you decided to come back to the ring?

Hobo: Good question. And a fairly simple one. Family.

Presenter: Family?

Hobo: Yes family. you see, the wrestlers who don the spandex each and every day are all part of one big family. And just like real families, certain siblings fall out from time to time. They have petty squabbles, say incredibly harsh things that 99% of the time are just bare faced lies. They twist situations to their own ends and sometimes split the family in two. Other times, there are family members you havent seen in years but miss. That crazy uncle stuck in the 80s, the one who watches and wants to make his own TV and of course the one from Ireland who is just plain weird.

Hobo: You also have the family members who you have heard about but have never crossed paths with. All are part of the family, and as the self appointed godfather of this family, it is up to me to bring it back together for a celebration. Like when families get together for a funeral. But in this case there are no dead bodies. So its more like a birth. But without small people. I suppose what I am trying to say is that its like a christening. A rebirth and celebration all at once.

Presenter: So how have you gone about things and how are they going?

Hobo: Well I got in touch with a few close friends and we brain stormed how and when. we then sent out the invitations far and wide, with RSVPs. And quite a few have got in contact, and quite a few have remained suspiciously quiet.

Presenter: looking at the registration of names to the event, it would appear that your invitation to wrestle in your tournament has been met with largely, how do I say it, indifference?

Hobo: that is true. At the moment, people are looking at the star name on the sheet and signing up for that. But what people forget is that the headline act is quite often not the star. Was Mark Hamill the star of Star Wars? No it was Harrison Ford.

Presenter: So you saying that JJ Johnson is Luke Skywalker and you are Hans Solo?

Hobo: sort of. I would say that there is an element of that and an element of shadowy skulduggery. People are pulling the strings behind the scenes to try and discredit my intentions of a family reunion.

presenter: Why would they do that?

Hobo: Plenty of reasons. Jealousy. Spite. Impotence. But most of all fear. Quite simply they are afraid that they can't hang with me. They are afraid of what might happen. if they try to take me on. They are afraid of actually losing their grip on the puppets strings. They fear the Hobo.

Hobo: and they are complete Ku...

Presenter: Hobo - we are Live and pre watershed!

Hobo: - mquats. If they had any melons, they would put their names down and meet me in the ring. But we all know that wont happen. Some families just dont want to reunite. Some families want to instead live in their own kingdom under a cloud. I want to break those clouds and let the people see that it is sunny outside.

Presenter: I will be honest. I have no idea what you are talking about! One too many chair shots I think!

Hobo: It doesnt really matter what you think, they will get it. And I will be waiting to hear from them, if they have the cajones.

hobo gets up from his chair and walks to the camera and goes close up (and slightly out of focus)

H: Dont fear the reaper, fear the Hobo.

[JJJohnson]

*The following videotape was delivered to addresses of many of the top talent in the professional wrestling industry, past and and present.

*We open up in a large, expensive looking penthouse suite. The large windows overlook a beautiful ocean scene and a vast beach spreads as far as the eye can see. The cameras then tilt back inside the suite and settle on a heavy mahogany desk, placed in front of a high-backed chair, which swivels around to reveal a very familiar face.

JJ: Ladies and gentlemen...

*JJ Johnson smiles at the camera. He is dressed in an unbuttoned white shirt with a vest showing underneath. His face is fresh and healthy, a little slimmer than during his wrestling days, and an aura of contentment surrounds him.

JJ: Y'all probably woke up this morning with this videotape in your mail and now you playing it, I can imagine your wondering what you did wrong to get this face up on yo television set at this early hour of the morning. Now I ain't selling shakes, and I'm not releasing an exercise DVD, so you can put yo wallets down....no amount o' money can make you look this good!

*JJ tilts back in his chair

JJ: Yeah, i'm still funny. But this tape isn't about making you laugh, it's not about cracking a few jokes, this is strictly business.....a venture that I am sending out to all y'all, an invite that I really hope you are not going to turn down. JJ Johnson got a phone call a few days back from a mystery source, of which all will be revealed in due course, to be a part of a federation-wide tournament in an attempt to unite this business and bring back a sense of harmony in a business that has seen so much friction and disillusion.

I have been a wrestling fan my entire life, from the days of Woryah and Hogan, Macho Man and Flair....through the generations....NWA, WWE, WCW, TNA, 6WF, 6CW....The Rock, Austin, Goldberg, Sting.....the names and the lists are endless.....but one question has always been on my mind, one question never been answered...

Who is the best in the world?

*JJ puts his feet up on the desk

JJ: Everyone in this industry has debated and argued but there has never been a definitive answer, it is now my aim to provide one. Because when I was in 6WF, I was the man, but countless other promotions around the world had their man too....and we just don't know who the best really was.

Was The Saint better than Keith Leone? Was Daniel Reilly on a par with Nemesis? Could Dicey Reilly hang tough with Hero? Like asking is Lebron a patch on MJ? They can't answer that but for the first time ever I am going to answer who is the best professional wrestler in the world today?

This is a call to arms and shout out to every single major promotion in the world today....and this VT has been delivered to a damn lot of you.....from 6CW to 6WF.....Grindhouse Wrestling where you at.....and then to all my brothers and sisters that representing far and beyond....now is the time to stand up and be counted, now is the time to prove that you are the greatest....

*JJ takes his feet off the desk and sits up in his chair

JJ: No limits, no discrimination, this is about being the best and I don't want anything else. Men, women, heck if you a midget and you can wrestle then let's throw down because I want you in this tournament...

JJ Johnson is proud to present that the "Heavyweight Elite Tournament" will co-represent as part as the v2WF "Indian Summer" and I want to see every last one of you with yo name on the dotted line, because this is going to be an event that they never gone forget. Calling you all from every corner o' the world, now is the chance to bring it on. The Indian Summer is about bring the wrestling world together in one place at one time....to crown the greatest tag teams, the greatest hardcore wrestlers and quite simply put, the greatest of all time.

JJ Johnson's portion o' this tournament is going to be the most grueling, life-changing tournament that is going to push you beyond yo limits, I am going to make you earn the moniker of "number one". Because i'm taking this back to where it all began, back to the streets and from there you are going to work your way up. We aren't going to start this off in MSG, we aren't going to sell out the MGM Grand on night one...you are going to earn that opportunity by fighting in environments that will test your mental and physical strength.

If you standing all pretty right now, whether you hold championship gold or not, and you thinking you the man....then I am issuing the challenge, I am throwing down the gauntlet....answer my call and let's do this right......

September is the month.....The Indian Summer is the place.....The best in the world is the prize...

*JJ's eyes suddenly flare

JJ: And there is one man out there who I hope is watching this tape, a cup o' green tea in his Oriental hand....

*JJ smiles

JJ: I know you remember me....I know I have been imprinted on your mind for a very long time....and I also know that you think you finished me for good...

But here I am....alive and kicking....the doctors say I can go if I want to, and believe me when you look into my eyes....I want to!

We have unfinished business....and you know, whether you admit it or not, that whilst I am still breathing in and out....whilst there is still life inside of me....you will never be free of the torment I created inside of your head....

*JJ leans back and he pulls one of the draws open before lifting something out.

JJ: I hope to hear from you all very soon......but for YOU here is something that I want you to think long a hard about...

*JJ smiles as he places a teddy bear on top of the table dressed in a JJ Johnson t-shirt. JJ then looks at the clock behind him.

JJ: The deadline is approaching....tick....tock!

*The scene fades out

[Steve Sharona]

The camera cuts to a white sand beach by a clear blue sea, 'time after time' by Cindi Lauper is being played by a Caribbean band on steel drums, a woman with a high thong bikini and huge 80’s hair walks into the shot carrying a cocktail in a coconut shell and a massive telephone on a silver tray.

Bikini Clad 80’s babe: Steve its Max Adamson on the phone.

A bronzed Steve Sharona rises from his sun lounger, hair slicked back with his trademark aviators on; he takes the phone and extends the massive silver antenna from it.

Steve: Max baby what’s going down!?!

(He pauses to listen to Max)

Steve: Me I’m having a 80’s themed week on my island,

(Max speaks)

Steve: Yeah baby, lots of shoulder pads and power jackets. I had Linda Lusardi here

(Max speaks)

Steve: No she hasn’t aged well, even taking nostalgia into account I wouldn’t.

(Max speaks)

Steve: Got that base covered baby, I’ve got glamour models running around in big hair wigs.

(Max speaks again)

Steve: Not a worry for me anymore baby, Jean’s gone, took our babies Cher, Arnie and Sly Sharona with her and left me with nothing but the shirt on my back and a couple of billion. Let me tell you something Maxie Pax baby, Steve Sharona was left with a broken heart. Everything I loved died the day she walked out. I couldn’t do Wall Street, my aviators just didn’t feel cool anymore, hell I even began to doubt the 80’s. My days were dark man until my good buddy TC,

(Pauses as Max speaks on the phone)

Steve: you know him baby, short guy, white teeth, huge in the 80’s

(Pauses as max speaks)

Steve: That’s the guy! Anyway he took me right out of the danger zone, Steve Sharona was flying towards self-destruction, I was so close to the edge I was too close for missiles until that good friend introduced me to Scientology!

(Max speaks on the Phone)

Steve: What do you mean whack jobs? No baby! Let me tell you all something right now - don’t believe the bad press baby! L-Ron reminded this billionaire, hey you’re not broken you’re awesome. You’re the epiphany of the 80’s. You’re handsome, rich, a winner, you do what it takes to get to the top and nobody and nothing has ever stopped you and never will. You don’t need Jean, all you need is belief in yourself, belief in your cause, Well brother my cause has always been proving the 1980’s was the greatest decade in the history of time, the decade of decadence.

(Max speaks)

Steve: Off course it’s egotistical, I am egotistical! Hell you don’t get to the top by being modest; My ego makes me who I am - Sta-Sta-Sta Steve Sharona! The greatest and longest raining 6WE champion in history. The man with the plan and the million dollar tan. The guy who’s so fly he makes the girls cry, the man with the money who gets all the honeys, the super dude with…

(Max speaks)

I’ve got about another 15 super alternatives are you sure you want me to stop? Ok bro, why are you calling me anyway? Do you need stock advice?

(Max speaks)

Tournament? Biggest ego’s in wrestling? Where do I sign up? Not only will I win this hands down and bring the 80’s to the masses again, I’m going to take Scientology mainstream.

(Max speaks)

Church of Hero indeed, that heretic will go down with everyone else who gets in the way of Sta-Sta-Sta Steve Sharona! I’ve changed baby and it’s time to change the world with me.

[JJJohnson]

The story so far:

Ring ring

5am:
JJ Johnson rolls over in the bedroom of his luxurious household in Beverly Hills. His beautiful wife, Brandi, is fast asleep by his side and she doesn’t stir as the phone continues to ring. JJ fights off the tiredness as he reaches for the receiver and picks it up.

JJ: Hello?

*The voice on the other end speaks quickly, JJ struggles to digest the information. He looks at the time on his clock.

JJ: Fool, you know what time it is?

*The voice continues to speak hurriedly as JJ sits up and turns on his side lamp. His eyes begin to adjust to his surroundings.

JJ: Couldn’t this have waited? I mean damn man I’m asleep in my crib, you never heard of timezones?

*JJ rubs his neck and he gazes out of the French window in front of him, the first signs of sunrise on the horizon. He continues to listen to the caller, his interest seemingly peaked.

JJ: Why me? You know I’m retired from all that now…..why do I get the sense that there is more to this than meets the eye?

*JJ turns to look at Brandi, her soft and flawless features unfazed by the events of the phonecall.

JJ: I don’t know, that business near enough cost me everything and now you want me to forget all of that because you want to make some money? Look, I’m willing to listen to what you are saying but I’m not giving any guarantees.

*JJ stands up out of the bed, revealing himself to be wearing only a pair of black boxer shorts. His muscular torso is still in great shape but as he raises his right arm there is a very noticeable scar that runs from his armpit to his hip. He looks out of the window once more and then back at Brandi before he slowly moves around to the doorway of the room.

JJ: I can be down town in an hour, ninety minutes tops and when I get there I expect some explanations. You want me to do this then I need to know that there is a reason behind it all…

*JJ’s eyes suddenly begin to widen

JJ: What do you mean you’re not in Los Angeles? Then where the hell are you…

*JJ stops at the top of his staircase. He rubs his eyes and then shakes his head.

JJ: Hell no…..you cannot seriously expect me to pick up and leave my family at this sort of notice…..I don’t give a damn….

*JJ leans up against the wall, obviously stuck in a dilemma. The voice on the receiver seems to be talking faster than ever.

JJ: I just don’t get why the hell this is so important? It’s pro wrestling, it is a business….sports entertainment…..you acting like this is the difference between life and death…

*The silence of the early morning allows the voice on the other end to echo across the hallway

Voice: I’m afraid it could be…

*JJ runs his hand along the top of his head as he makes his way over to another room across from the stairway. He gazes inside and a smile crosses his face as he looks upon a beautiful baby girl, soundly asleep, in her cot is in his eyeline. JJ just stands and stares for a few moments and then speaks into the phone once more.

JJ: What do you need?

*He listens, taking every detail in. He then moves back down the hallway and he looks at Brandi and pulls a draw open next to the bed. He pulls a piece of paper out and pen before scribbling a quick note. He places it by her bedside lamp and kisses her on the cheek. He makes his way over to a walk-in wardrobe and quickly pulls on a pair of jeans and a hooded top before moving back out into the hallway.

JJ: I swear to God this better be as serious as you make it out to be…..so where am I heading?

*He pauses for a moment and then nods his head

JJ: LAX it is….I’ll be there as quick as I can…

*JJ hangs up the phone and hurries down the stairway. He takes one quick look around his tranquil home and then pulls the front door open, heading out into the chilly morning air.

(To be continued)

[JJJohnson]

4pm

Tokyo

*JJ Johnson is shown in a black unmarked car being driven from the national airport to an unknown location. He gazes out of the window, watching the world go by, as the car turns a narrow corner and into an alleyway. The car stops and JJ looks puzzled by his location.

JJ: This is the place?

*The driver just nods his head as a door opens up from the side of the building to the right hand side of the car. Two well-built Japanese men step out and then a suited individual, a tanned male with a worried look on his face. JJ climbs from the car and the suited man steps forwards, his accent British.

???: Thank you for coming, Mr Johnson, and once again I apologise for the abruptness of this meeting.

JJ: Just tell me what the hell is going on, the way you were talking was like the world was going to end...

???: I'm afraid "our world" may just be about to...

*JJ looks puzzled

???: Please follow me inside....

*The man beckons JJ into the building and he follows quickly, the door shutting behind them. The scene then opens up in a dimly lit office suit and the suited man quickly moves over to the desk, the nameplate on the desk reads "Harry Min".

Min: I understand that you are very confused right now but I hope to explain everything as quick as I can...

*Min searches in the draws of the desk and the produces a black folder from inside.

Min: Before I show you these documents I should take you back to the beginning of this story.

JJ: I think you should, cos right now playa I don't have a clue what is going on...

Min: I understand...my name is Harry Min, I am a former wrestling promoter but now I am involved in merchandising and marketing for the professional wrestling industry. This business is my passion, my dream and I would do anything to make sure we get as much limelight as we deserve...I want wrestling to be a global power again.

The problem with wrestling is that we have lost touch, we know longer appeal to the global mainstream.....I have worked very hard to change that stance, engage with the worldwide public once more.

JJ: Ok....but that doesn't explain why the hell I am in Tokyo...

Min: A couple of months ago, myself and a few of my associates came up with an idea to approach some of the biggest names in professional wrestling to organise a tournament that would bring talent together from every corner of the globe...

JJ: The Elite Heavyweight...

*Min nods his head

Min: It was me and my associates who approached you as well as other superstars to help brand our dream. You see names like yours are what sells....with your face at the forefront of our production, we had the appeal....

JJ: So what is the problem? I heard the tournament is getting serious attention...

Min: Broadcasters from over 100 countries, we have internet, television, radio and newspaper coverage 24/7 and the whole tournament, inside out, will be shown around globe.....I cannot explain how big this tournament is....this will put professional wrestling back on the map...

JJ: I'm failing to see a downfall right now...you sure there is a problem?

*Min suddenly looks grave

Min: You know yourself the difficulties and stigmas attached to this business.....drug abuse, fake, make believe nonsense....it is hard to overcome but the media attention of the Indian Summer Tournament could change the attitudes of the public forever...

But just a few days ago I received this...

*He throws the folder down on the desk and JJ reaches for it

Min: Now bear in mind that this tournament will have the entire world watching, waiting and hoping for one slip or one malfunction that would condemn ourselves to the abyss forever more....we cannot afford any mishaps...

*JJ opens up the folder and begins to read, his eyes growing wider

Min: A colleague of mine overhead a conversation between two of my "associates" and the apparent "plan" that was being put in place. As you can see by the pictures, he is lucky to still be alive...

*JJ looks at a particularly gruesome picture of a crushed car with blood splattered around it.

Min: I don't need to join the dots for you, I am sure you can see what we are dealing with here...

JJ: You and your associates went to a lot of trouble to make this tournament happen....why would they jeopardize it now...

Min: They believe that a certain individual entered into this tournament is the face to lead us into the future....they do not want anybody else to win....

JJ: But by fixing this tournament, by stacking the odds in one person's favour....they will ruin the world's perception of this business...

*Min sits back in his chair and holds his arms wide

Min: And there is our dilemma.....because the pro-wrestling industry cannot afford another high-publicized scandal....by airing this calamity in front of the entire world, we may as well be performing industry suicide...

*JJ looks back down at the documents

JJ: I fronted this tournament...I sent out tapes to athletes all around the globe, I have invited these guys into a sham....their careers will be ruined...

*Min looks extremely sorry

Min: Believe me, I know. You are a global star and with your endorsement we were able to entice mass publicity and sponsorship...I truly believed this was the beginning of something spectacular. This tournament could have been the biggest event ever....

*JJ throws the folder back on the desk

JJ: There is nothing in there though about the identity of the "Chosen One".....you got any clues?

Min: I am afraid I have nothing else but the information in that document. That is why I called you here, first to apologize in person, and then to ask for your help.

*JJ raises his eyebrows

JJ: You want me to find them?

Min: We are too close to the tournament now to cancel or even do background checks, this tournament will have to continue as planned.

JJ: But we are talking about crowning the "Best in the world" and it will be a complete fix....how can we do that?

Min: We can't.....that is why I need your help. The tournament will go ahead and once it starts, there is no telling what my "associates" will do in order to guarantee the "Chosen One" wins. I am sorry to say it is down to you to prevent that from happening....

JJ: So now I'm Sherlock Holmes?

Min: I have nowhere else to turn...

*JJ lets out a sigh and looks around

JJ: This is the reason I got out of this business, it's too dirty and poisonous at the core nowadays.

Min: This tournament can change that..

JJ: Or it can ruin it once and for all...

*JJ and Min look at each other for a full minute

JJ: I can't guarantee you anything.....I don't even have a clue what we are up against....but I'll do what I can...

Min: Thank you...

*JJ stands up and adjusts his hooded top

JJ: I'll make a few calls...

Min: I will only offer you a little advice, JJ....I know some of these men in this tournament are friends of yours....but we cannot be sure that any of them are trustworthy....any one of them could be the "Chosen One".....

*JJ breathes deeply and nods his head

JJ: What a happy retirement this is turning into...

*JJ nods at Min and then exits the door and back into the alleyway where the unmarked car is waiting for him. His phone beeps and he picks it up, a message from "Brandi".

"Where the hell are you?"

*JJ shakes his head and replies

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Be home soon".

*JJ pockets his phone and climbs back into the car as the scene fades out.

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