6CW Proving Grounds - Monday 4th November (Iron Man Tournament Week 2)

Live from Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
Official theme song: "Kingdom" by Downstadt

Group A

O'Callaghan - 6 points

Dante Phoenix - 0 points

Engel Harlequin - 0 points

Angelo Trust - -4 points

Group B

Damion Onyx - 4 points

Marty Helms - 4 points

James McManus - -2 points

Uryu Ishida - -2 points

Group C

Cerberus - 4 points

Scott Harris - 4 points

Karl Kramer - -2 points

Liam Wood - -2 points

Group D

Jimmy Phillips - 6 points

Jackson Jackson - 2 points

Vincent Costello - 2 points

Ricky Nelson - -4 points

*Miss Jessica addresses 6CW roster

Bout 1
Group C
Cerberus vs Liam Wood

Bout 2
Group A
Dante Phoenix vs O’Callaghan

Bout 3
Group D
Ricky Nelson vs Jackson Jackson

Bout 4
Group B
Damion Onyx vs Marty Helms

Bout 5
Group A
Angelo Trust vs Engel Harlequin

Bout 6
Group C
Karl Kramer vs Scott Harris

Bout 7
Group B
James McManus vs Uryu Ishida

Main Event
Group D
Jimmy Phillips vs Vincent Costello

The scene opens in the corridors of the Emirates arena, the camera pans and stops on a large wooden door, the camera pans up and the name plate reads... VINCENT COSTELLO

Crowd: SUPER POP

The face of 6CW reporter Travis Sharp stands in front of the door and begins to speak


TS: Welcome backstage folks, I’m hoping for a few words from the man who stars in tonight’s main event, the returning Vincent Costello, let’s see if he’s available

Travis knocks on the door, it opens revealing the man himself... Costello

TS: Vincent, tonight you square off with Jimmy Phillips a man you know well from your time in EWF and 6CW, you’re back in the main event and back in 6CW, how does it feel?

VC: Well Travis, just in case anyone had forgotten, let me tell you who the hell I am... I am... THE LAW, Costello’s Law! And you can bet your a$$ I’m back!!!!

And I’m the guy who tonight, officially makes his return to the main event, right here in the Emirates arena, right out there in the middle of that ring, right here in Glasgow, Scotland!!!

Crowd: Super POP

But you know what, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s the opening match of the card, the middle of the deck or the main event... because regardless of what time of the night it is, Costello’s Law is going to go out into the centre of that ring and do what I aways have done... relentlessly, aggressively and without prejudice, systemically pick apart my opponent. And hey look... it’s nothing personal Phillips, this isn’t about you, this is about Costello’s Law taking one step closer to the next round, one inch further along, one rung upwards towards being crowned the iron man of 6CW and once again, for the third time, the world heavyweight champion!

So look Jimmy, I won’t blame you if you wanna get in your car right now, hell... go straight home... lock the doors up tight, close the curtains, set the damn burglar alarm to on, pull the covers up right over your head and pretend tonight’s main event wasn’t happening. Sh€t I won’t blame you if you wanna call the whole thing off.

Costello looks the down the camera, the jovial look on his face has gone, his eyes tighten as he begins to talk with a much more serious tone

But if you do turn up, if you do decide to meet me out there, in the main event of tonight’s proving grounds, something I fully expect a competitor like you to do Jimmy... then know this, I won’t just take the points, I have to, I need to make statement out there tonight. I have to show the world that Vincent Costello is every bit the animalistic, sadistic, warrior he always was.

You see for the past 10 years I’ve been absolutely focused, consumed some might say on one thing, the road to greatness! But at what cost??? Throughout my career I’ve taken advantage of people, taken shortcuts, I’ve taken undeserving opportunities and I’ve sacrificed every single relationship I’ve ever had... that’s how much this business meant to me, that’s how much that focus cost me. And right here, right now... I’ll hold my hands up, I was a vile, conniving, disgusting human being, rotten to the very core.

Now I can see what you’re all thinking and don’t worry, I haven’t found God, but I did find something, someone and that someone showed me how worthless, how empty, how unfulfilling being consumed by that kind of focus can be and even if it did pay off and even if it did feel damn good, ultimately it leaves you wanting more and more, it’s like a parasite gnawing away, chewing away, taking over your every thought, taking over who you are.

But now I have a clarity, I have a new kind of focus and a new road.

And do you know what I discovered? I found out that, that clarity, that clearness... made me twice the competitor, it made me twice the warrior, it made me whole. So yes, you lucky people are now looking at the new, improved Costello’s Law, you’re looking at a man with as much aggression, relentlessness and tenacity than as before, but with a mind clearer and focused on doing this the right way, on reaching that greatness that consumed me, in the right way, a way that will not only cement my legacy, put that exclamation mark on my career, but will give me the redemption I owe this business, that I owe all of you out there and that I owe myself!

And I want to thank that special someone, I want her to know... that you saved me, you made me whole for the first time in my career, in my life and everything I do from here on out is to thank you baby... thank you E!

So, don’t be thinking this is me gone soft, this is me more aligned, more focused than I ever have been... this is the Costello’s Law we all deserve and that’s why tonight, I’m going to show Jimmy Phillips, the rest of the locker room and the world, what the future holds for them...

Costello’s Law says... Tonight, my road, it begins in the main event!

Costello lowers the microphone, as the crowd inside the arena pop

*Angelo Trust sits on the corridor floor backstage, stretching out and working through a cool down. He is interrupted by Travis Sharp, who stands over him

TS: Is this a good time, Mr Trust?

*Trust looks up but keeps stretching

AT: I can talk and stretch, Travis.

*He continues, so Travis gathers himself and starts to interview him

TS: A difficult night, Travis. Not the debut you’d wished for. How are you doing?

*Trust finishes stretching and just sits crossed leg, looking up at Travis.

AT: Not my best day, Travis. I went out there eager to win, eager to prove myself, and I got tapped out.

TS: And that’s big points lost for you, Angelo. Must have been a hard decision to make?

*This time he doesn’t look up at Travis and answers the question with his head down.

AT: The decision gets taken out of your hands sometimes, mate. A fighter gets you in his grasp and when they have the killer instinct someone like O’Callaghan has, it’s harder to escape than you’d think.

TS: It’s made it a lot harder for you to qualify now.

*Trust does look up at him now. His head snaps up to stare at him. A mask of anger covers him

AT: Yes, thanks Travis. Anything else smart to say?! Or do I need to show you what it's like to have a man try snap your body in half?!

*Travis backs away a little, and as the fear can be seen in his eyes, Angelo’s anger appears to be gone completely and he’s softened

AT: Sorry, Travis. Hard night.

*He gets up to his feet and offers his hand. Travis is hesitant

AT: You’d like to ask some questions?

*Travis remains uncomfortable and leaves the hand, which Trust takes back.

TS: It’s ok, Mr Trust, we just needed a quick reaction interview. Think we have enough.

*Travis nods and walks off. Trust shrugs and then goes back down to stretch

AT: Wow, what a nice fella

 

(The scene opens up backstage with Dante Phoenix standing by with Fleur Michaels. Phoenix is dressed in a white hooded top and black joggers whilst Michaels looks spectacular in a tight fitting blue dress)

Michaels: My guest at this time is the "Divine" Dante Phoenix...

(The crowd give a cheer as Phoenix steps forward to begin the interview. He gives Fleur a smile but it is quite clear he has a lot on his mind. Phoenix is running his hand across his throat, his eyes checking all angles constantly)

Michaels: Dante....I guess first thing is first and that is what took place last week at Proving Grounds. Your first ever match here in 6CW and you were, for want of a better word, brutalised by the returning Engel Harlequin. How do you react to what happened?

Phoenix: What do you say? Where do you begin? I've been all around the world, Fleur, and I have fought a number of formidable opponents in my time but nothing and nobody can prepare you for the moment you find yourself confronted by Engel Harlequin...

Watching him on TV, following his career, does not do justice to what it is truly like to have a psychotic, blood-thirsty animal attacking you with the most heinous of intent...

Last week I was psyched to begin the newest chapter of my career but instead I got my a55 handed to me....I was left in a battered heap, suffered serious internal injuries....and now I must bare the psychological scars as well as the physical trauma...

Michaels: I did notice that you seem a little on edge...

Dante: You find yourself wondering if there's another attack waiting around the corner....in the parking lot, at your own house....because nobody has ever worked out what motivates Harlequin, what his true intentions are....am I his target or am I merely a victim of his newest scheme? Was the attack last week based upon us being aligned in the same group or will he seek me out again and again until he breaks me for good...

Michaels: And how do you believe you can combat that?

Dante: Well I won't quit, I don't believe in quitting, and I won't run or hide.....I will confront my demons as I always have and I will rise to meet them head on.....I know one day mine and Engel's paths will cross again and I won't be the one running in the opposite direction.....the next time we clash he'll find out that I can fight with the best of them....no matter how many times you knock me down I promise I will get back up, I'll keep moving forward and I will find a way to overcome...

Michaels: Speaking of moving forward....it has been confirmed by Cillian Frost and new 6CW General Manager, Miss Jessica that your contest with Harlequin has been declared a no contest....that means you remain on zero points in Group A.....that also means that you remain in contention to qualify for the latter stages of the Iron Man Tournament so long as you gain the necessary results in your upcoming matches....which brings us on to your next opponent, O'Callaghan. He did of course win his first match via submission over Angelo Trust....what are your thoughts on this upcoming contest?

Dante: It's going to be tough....at least this time I know who I'll be fighting ahead of time but all the preparation in the world will only get you so far. O'Callaghan is a highly skilled technician and he has proven time and again here in 6CW what he is capable of....he has a very impressive resume and he has some monumental victories over legends in the game....but I believe in my own skillset, I believe in my own capabilities and I do believe I will be victorious in this match...

O'Callaghan has the momentum, he's top of the group, and he will have his own aspirations of becoming 6CW Champion....but I've said before that I didn't come here to just make up the numbers....I know a win in this match puts me within touching distance of the quarter finals....and I know it'll also help to eradicate the horrors of what happened to me last time out.....this is somewhat of a watershed moment for me in my career and when the bell sounds at the end of this bout I am extremely confident that people will be sitting up and taking notice of Dante Phoenix....they'll see I'm the real deal and my future is paved in gold...

Michaels: And how about Angelo Trust? Another newcomer to 6CW....he will be your final group bout...

Dante: One step at a time, Fleur....I take each bout as they come and I overlook no opponent.....mine and Trust's time is coming but until then I'll be eating, sleeping and breathing O'Callaghan....he's my focus, he's my only target....

Michaels: And how exactly do you plan on overcoming him?

Dante: I won't be giving too much away on that but as I say I'm confident I have what it takes....my style is unique and I'm looking forward to finally being able to show the 6CW Universe what I am all about....I didn't get the opportunity last week so I think it's time we got this party started...

Michaels: Dante, thank you for your time, and good luck in our upcoming contest!

(There is a loud crash from somewhere in the vicinity and Phoenix leaps around with wide eyes but the cameras pan to show that a member of the production crew has dropped some equipment. Phoenix looks almost embarrassed by his reaction but he regains his composure and smiles before nodding at Fleur Michaels and walking out of shot)

The scene opens to a refurbished and redecorated 6CW superstore in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland. The artificial lighting bathes the store in a warm glow as they hum in the background. The camera pans around the store before stopping in its track as the imposing figure of the vegan warrior, Damion Onyx comes into shot. Onyx is wearing a pink ethical friendly vegan t-shirt with “bee kind” sowed into the material. He is also wearing Eco friendly green shorts with a pair of recycled sliders with white environmentally friendly shocks. Onyx stares into the camera, a Machiavellian glint in his blue eyes as he smiles broadly into the camera. Onyx pauses for a moment before speaking obnoxiously and forcefully down the camera. *

DO: Hey 6CW world! It’s 6CW greatest new superstar, Damion Onyx here and do you know what? I’m so happy to be in the new 6CW superstore! Look everything looks so fresh and tidy, all your favourite superstars’ merchandise for sale starting at the low, low price of Nine pounds and ninety-nine pennies. That’s how you Brits say it right? And do you know what? When I said I’m happy to be here… that was a lie. Just take a look around you. Go on, Camera man, do your job!

*The camera spins around the store with fans milling around looking at their favourite superstars merchandise including Uryu Ishida, Liam Wood, Karl Kramer, Scott Harris, Cerberus and Marty Helms. The camera pans back to Onyx who’s looking slightly incensed at the consumerism going on the store.*

DO: This, this is the very thing I loathe about the direction of this company and the world is going. These people have plenty of clothes that they could wear… I wouldn’t judge them on what they wear. Sure, it’s not environmentally friendly like my clothing but I could forgive that. What I cannot forgive is the sheer negligence and incompetence. Like look at all this merchandise… wrapped in plastic. Plastic which cannot be recycled and will end up asphyxiating poor defenseless animals. You all should be ashamed.

DO: This company is meant to be enticing people to visit a 6CW event, promoting a bright message of Eco friendly positivism. But no, the way this company has gone, they have chosen the sell out option. Money. It all boils down to money and you are all their cash cows. You swarm places like these and line the pockets of men and women who don’t give any thought about the environment and the world they’ll leave for your kids and your kids children. It’s in short DESPICABLE. I feel ashamed to be apart of a company so devoid of compassion towards the environment and a sustainable future.

DO: And you people make it even worse… I mean look at this Marty Helms shirt. Just look at it!

*Onyx furiously snatches a Marty helms fan shirt off a hanger, hanging just behind him and raises it to the camera.*

DO: I’m sure you people will have no problem fitting into a, oh let’s see, a triple XL Marty helms shirt? That’s been made in a sweatshop from the other side of the world. You people aren’t just ignorant but obese. Your slovenly lifestyles which include eating defenseless animals have caused this backwards company to make shirts which could be used as tepees. But it’s not just your fault it’s the concessions stands packed full of processed garbage which contribute. E-numbers, MSG values, garbage, garbage, and more garbage!

*Onyx flings the Marty Helms shirt to one side before storming to a rail with jackets made entirely of leather, with superstars past and present of 6CW history stitched onto them.*

DO: And what’s this? This is Leather. Leather made from calves that are snatched away from their mothers and slaughtered so you can eat them and wear them. Despicable! And for what? A cold night? No, it’s to show off your favourite heroes like some sort of crazed cult. Don’t you care about your futures? I mean I do. Even if the United Kingdom is filled with unattractive, lazy and obese people, because that’s the kind of man I am.

*Onyx once again stares directly into the camera, his eyes filled with rage and his voice hostile*

DO: Last week, I crushed one of 6CW’s most valuable assets in James McManus. This week I’m going to recycle Marty Helms. Marty Helms is one 6CW’s most prized assets, as you can probably tell by all this garbage merchandise surrounding me. Sure, Marty Helms has earned that right to be a prized asset in this capitalist driven company, oh yeah I’ve seen his history and his matches. One of wrestling’s finest… but they said that about McManus and look what happened to him.

DO:I have to beat Marty Helms this week.. this planet needs a champion who will protect it. This planet needs a champion who will spread the message of an eco-friendly agenda and a sustainable future. Marty Helms doesn’t care about the environment or you people… he just wants the money you pour into this company from his merchandise and it makes me sick. He doesn’t care about any of you, but for that matter, none of the others do… however, I do. I’m the one fighting for you, the vegan warrior, Damion Onyx. Oh and
what’s this?

*Onyx goes bright red like a gammon with rage as he walks over to another aisle where an Onyx merchandise shirt is hanging, unsurprisingly very little has been sold. The shirts have a large green recycling logo on them with the words “The Vegan warrior” in bold black letters underneath them. Onyx turns to the camera once more*

DO: And finally, if I see ANY of you wearing this garbage then I’m going to slap your greasy face. You’re committing murder against the environment if you wear any of this garbage. I have told this company what my issues are, and they don’t listen… they only care about money. If Helms has any decency, he will let me win next week. This company needs a champion as a pioneer and a protector of the planet. And more importantly, you people need me as champion to show you the power of veganism. See you soon, Marty…

*Onyx smirks smugly at the camera before eyeballing fans milling around the store before storming off from the scene. The camera fades away looking at the neon glowing red 6CW logo hanging over the checkout area. *

after concluding his interview with Costello, Travis Sharp is making his way through the corridors when he notices Jimmy Phillips standing by one of teh backstage monitors. He rushes over to him eager to get a word

TS: Jimmy, have you got a minute for a quick interview

Phillips looks Travis up and down in disgust before exhaling highlighting he thinks he's above anything Travis could ask

JP: whatever

TS: ehhhh....thanks. So I guess you caught my interview with your opponent tonight, Vincent Costello (a huge cheer can be heard coming from within the arena at the mention of Costello's name)

JP: Yeah, I caught it. Surprised he's not still talking, man did he go on and on. Lets just hope for his sake he can still fight half as much as he can talk sh!t

TS: I think he raised some valid points and comments

Jimmy laughs to himself

JP: well you would. You know why you think that? Because you're a moron. Just like everybody out there in that arena who cheered when they heard you mention Costello's name. Every single one of them is a grade A moron. (loud boos can be heard)

TS: I don't think that's....

JP: Don't you dare cut the talent off when he's speaking.

Jimmy stares down Travis who backs away until he is pressed back up against the wall

JP: Well?

TS: I don't understand

JP: Aren't you gonna apologise to me, for cutting me off. You ask me for an interview and then you disrespect the Talent by talking over him.

TS: I'm...I'm sorry Jimmy

JP: I should think so. Make sure it don't happen again. Now as I was saying it doesn't surprise me that these morons buy into the trash that Costello is spewing, I used to be exactly the same. I used to go out there week after week and play up to the fans just to hear them cheer. It becomes a distraction, and no matter how much you give them, they always want more. There's no end to it and when you're not there, when you're injured, they don't care, they just move on like mindless sheep to the next guy who wants to play up to them. Pathetic

TS: I mean no offence Jimmy, but Costello does have the credentials to back up his claims. He was a two time champion afterall

JP: you said it yourself. Was. Celtic were european champions once. Rangers were Scottish Champions. But now both are two garbage teams in a garbage league that nobody cares about. Just because Costello has held the heavyweight title twice doesn't mean anything anymore except that he's yesterdays news. You're looking at the hottest commodity in this business today. The Talent is the present and the future of this company and I'll prove that tonight when I make your two time former champ tap like I did Ricky Nelson last week

TS: Thats a pretty bold claim.

JP: Oh, its not a claim. Its a spoiler. Costello will have you believe that Costellos Law is going to tale him back to the promise land, but tonight, I fight the law.....and I WILL WIN!!

Jimmy exits the scene barging past Travis who sends the action back to the studio

The camera cuts to backstage, a darkened corner under a stairwell where a silhouetted figure is looking at a monitor showing highlights from the previous show. A remote in his visibly shaking hand, he presses pause at the moment Miss Jessica is revealed as GM and turns to face the camera, his face blotchy and red, his eyes puffy from crying…

Hero: WHY??? Why now? Why here? WHYYYY????

He grabs hold of both sides of the camera and looks directly into it.

Hero: You broke me Jess, you tore me asunder, you used me like a plaything, at your beckon desire whenever you wished to get a booty call and I the fool that I am came crawling back time and time again. Each and every time I craved one more hit of you, one more rush, to smell you on my bed, to find a strand of your hair on my pillow, to taste you on my lips.

He lets go of the camera with one hand and runs a finger over his bottom lip.

Hero: You cheated on me Jess right from the start, all those late nights, the times when you’d creep back into my bed in the early hours thinking I was asleep, the smell of another man’s aftershave on your body, throwing your clothes straight into the washing and grabbing a shower. We both knew that we knew but kept an unspoken silence over it, if I didn’t speak about it then it wasn’t happening, but it was, it was.

Hero: And the moment you walked out of my life you took the thing most precious to me. My son, our son, Austin. How longs it been now Jess? How long’s it been since you’ve let me speak to him, let me call him. You’d blocked my number, you’d moved house, you’d stopped me contacting you on social media. Let me see him Jess, let me see my son.

A tear trickles down Hero’s face once more.

Hero: And after months of silence, months of me spiralling into a pit of solitude and desperation, of spending nights lying in my bed staring at the ceiling pondering my existence. Sitting in the bath, the taps flowing over, a razor in hand wishing I was strong enough, brave enough to take my own life but I couldn’t even do that, my pathetic self-worth dragging myself instead back to this wretched hell-hole to pour more misery and loathing on me. Because it’s the one place I know, the one place I remember had some comfort, the one place I once called home. And that I may reclaim past glories, that I may rediscover myself, ignite a passion, get those fires burning once more inside my soul and then…

The tears become a torrent down his cheeks, his eyes bloodshot.

Hero: You walked back into 6CW, you walked back into my life and turned it upside down once again. WHY JESS??

Hero lets go of the camera once more, takes a step back and then punches the camera lens, a crack appears and blood from Hero's knuckles trickle down the screen as it fades to black.

Johnny Lawless walks onto the stage to a chorus of boos. He cuts a frustrated figure as he storms down to the ring, microphone in hand.

JR: Henry there may be trouble ahead, this mans business relationship with Engel Harlequin has been well documented. The surprise return of said superstar causing somewhat of a stir on social media as he practically maimed Dante Phoenix before even a bell had rung.

HE: Johnny Lawless is a smart businessman, but can he contain Engel? What does he gain from this relationship. Something doesnt quite sit right here.

Johnny steps into the ring and stands in the centre, his frustrated demeanour apparent in his mannerisms as he raises the microphone to speak.

JL: Miss Jessica, if I may address you personally from this ring. I would like to talk about a few very important points. If you could cut away from your triangle of fawning boys for just a second and listen I would like to highlight a wrongdoing. As you know I was the one that came to your door and offered you Engel Harlequin for what I believe is an absolute steal. And as stated at the time I told you that Engel Harlequin would announce his return with an impact felt like no other in this squared circle. So forgive my anger when I look at the group table to see that impact go unrecognised.

JR: The bell never rung and no victor was announced. Engel should have shown a touch of patience.

HE: Wait a minute I think I can see where this is going...

Lawless puts his hand on his dismayed almost bewildered head.

JL: Dante Phoenix arrived for his match just as Engel Harlequin did. Dante Phoenix was deemed unfit to compete prior to any bell being rung. Now in the instance that an opponent cannot compete it's my belief that the willing and ready competitor should get a bye, yet there Engel stands in this group with 0 points to his name. Are you scared Miss Jessica? Is the board scared that I might actually fulfil my promise of having Engel be THE dominant force in this company? Are the toy companies and family friendly tv companies tightening there purse strings at the very thought that a man...no no a monster, a freak could actually lead this company into a golden age?

The crowd boo at Johnny, who shrugs his shoulders and smirks.

JL: Maybe, just maybe those in charge, those calling the shots, those doctors that wrote off Engel Harlequin are in for a shock. You see all that directionless, mindless violence and rage is gone. Under me, Engel is reborn a single minded instrument of destruction...and you Miss Jessica, all of you here tonight heed this warning because Engel is coming...he is coming for each and everyone of those guys in the back, he is focussed on one thing and that is being the one at the top of the mountain, and there is not one damn thing anybody here can do about it...BUT what about Angelo Trust I hear you all collectively whine as if a hero is coming up to the plate. What Engel did to Dante Phoenix was child play...the next time might just be what makes you sit up and take notice. You see Angelo, I can see you have passion, desire to do well in this business and I apologise that this company has put you on the slab for sacrifice and burial, but I will not apologise for the future actions of your opponent. I ask you, no I beg you...stay at home kid because this ring will be your sentence.

The crowd chant for Angelo Trust as Lawless laughs.

JR: A stark warning for 6CW and those that come up against Engel Harlequin, but do you actually thing Lawless has control over Engel? The freak has no control himself...

HE: Lawless is playing a dangerous game for sure but I must admit I am intrigued by the confidence out here.

Car Show by Das Sound Machine plays and out walks Angelo Trust to the stage. Lawless shakes his head sadly, but Trust has a smile on his face

JR: And here comes the rookie, naivety a shield as these kind of threats fly around

HE: Stupid, that's what you're trying to say. The kid is stupid

*Trust walks down to the ring and rolls in, grabbing a microphone from the other side and waving to the fans before turning to Lawless.

AT: Well, Mr Lawless, my father never called me the type to listen to advice. When I was in Mexico, they had a saying: "agua que no has de beber, déjala correr" - if you’re not going to drink that water, let it flow. It tells you not to get involved with something you cannot deal with.

But my cup runneth over here, Mr Lawless. I am a trained wrestler, so I do not fear getting into a ring and competing. The question, really, is whether your client can say the same thing? Obviously, please forgive me if I have misunderstood your words, and I would not be surprised considering how poorly they were delivered, but you seem to be threatening Engel as some sort of loose cannon, a man who could attack at any moment, if I am correct?

*Lawless doesn't disagree, but is relatively non-committal with his body language.

AT: You'll have to excuse my rudeness, if this is the case, but Engel Harlequin is not a man who has shown himself outside anyone's "control." I am a big fan of this company, as an Englishman who was keen to see real wrestling and technical prowess shine. I have seen Engel Harlequin, the outlier to 6CW's otherwise fine record of impressively skilled wrestlers, and I have watched his career. He was so interesting, Mr Lawless, in an old fashioned kind of way. Very much 6CW's own Punch and Judy show, whoever had his strings each outing.

*He shakes his head very quickly, all of a sudden, like a clumsy fool

AT: I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I am Angelo Trust. And before I shake your hand, I have one final question. What is more frightening to you, Mr Lawless: a man too afraid to stand across from someone and fight, but has played his hand already - - - or a man who sees himself outmatched against an opponent ready to rip his body in half...and still walks through the ropes?

*He smiles to Lawless

AT: Whilst you think, I'll see if Miss Jessica can come out and explain why I am to be punished for starting and finishing a match when Engel couldn't even see fit to do such a thing.

*Trust backs away and offers the floor to Lawless to speak

JR: Spoken very reasonably, for a man some commentators might have tried to call stupid

HE: Just you wait and see. He's choosing to poke the hornet's nest here, I'll look wise when this fool gets punished.

Uryu is seen backstage, looking at Travis Sharp being barged by Jimmy Phillips. Travis quickly recovers and looks over at Uryu.

UI: Nice to see some things havent changed here... People never treat the staff here with respect.

We quickly hear Frank in the background as Travis approaches.

Frank: No Frak respect from you wrestlers, you know I had to repair that damn water cooler you broke!

TS: Uryu, what bad luck fighting Marty Helms, where do you progress from here?

Uryu sighs and looks up at the ceiling briefly before looking back at Travis.

UI: I have to win to be in with a shot of progressing, no ifs or buts about it. Yet this group is one of the hardest of the lot, no match is easy, especially for me.

Frank: Even that Rasta Muppet could beat you!

Uryu glares at Frank who flips the bird at him in reply before walking off. Uryu looking ticked off.

UI: I gave a damn good account of myself Travis! I am someone you don't underestimate here!

Travis jumps back quickly, looking spooked. Seconds pass as Uryu sighs deeply, head in his hands.

UI: Every punch, every kick, every step, every move...hurts. Every day I wake up, hoping that my body somehow goes back even one step closer to what it was when I was younger. Yeah I have more experience...but each day I do this, trying to go beyond what I do. It feels like im hitting a wall. Like I can't recover past a certain point. Over...and over again. At this pace I can entertain...but for how long?
I feel like I got close to an answer once. In my last match with Engel, he swung his bat so many times. Yet I kept going. Hell, I don't even remember half the match yet I kept going. I made him so mad, I was so resiliant that he had actually wanted to kill me to keep me down. Half the crowd must have thought I was dead. Yet, I felt so close to an answer, my endurance was just out of reach, like a child trying to catch the stars in the night sky. They look so pretty...

TS: Uryu? Are you ok?

UI: Maybe it takes a while for me to warm up. Maybe looking up at what can be is the only thing I can do now, watching the others soar into the sky and stay there. Maybe I have one flight left to reach the very top of the sky. Maybe my way up there is going to be hell. Will it be worth it in the end? I stay here, competing, hoping to maximise that one little spark I got in me left. To see if I can punch through the wall one more time.

Uryu then looks up at Travis, a battle worn smile across his face.

UI: I am not completely dead like Hero. I am not arrogant like Marty or McManus. I am just putting myself on the line every single match...and I love it.

Uryu proceeds to head towards the ring area,leaving Travis perplexed.

Johnny Lawless pauses for a moment, contemplating Trusts words before continuing.

JL: Angelo, I trust you speak with this bravado not because of misplaced belief in yourself but in an attempt to downplay the very horror of a night you wasted half your day preparing for. You see Angelo, Engel is completely.and utterly focussed on his next target, and when he stands over your lifeless, sodomised, decomposing stench of a body, you can for get your Mexican words of inspiration, you can forget all about that kool aid you have been sipping...but you will NOT forget the name Engel Harlequin, Mr Trust not now not ever. Now I would love to keep this going with you right now, but you should be spending this time with the people you love, because they wont have much to love after Engel has finished with you.

Lawless steps through the ropes to leave when a video plays on the Tron. A man appears, wearing a lab coat and glasses. He has a bright wide eyed smile and seems to be taking notes furiously on a clip board. He raises his head and looks at the people in the ring.

??: Hello, Phineas Quinn here, DOCTOR. Now I do not know why there seems to be such hostilities and threatening behaviours in this arena tonight but I would like you to allow me to partake in a diagnosis all the same.

Confusion is etched on the faces of Lawless and Trust as well as many in the crowd.

PQ: As I understand it, Johnny you seem to be rather disturbed over a mismanaged mess of a situation which you feel downplays the achievement of your client.

Another man wearing a lab coat pops his head in from the side of the scene wide eyed and blank.

??: Indeed.

The man stares blankly a few seconds more before leaving the scene.

PQ: Oh Johnny, do not panic, everything is in hand. You said so yourself.

Phineas jots something down on the clipboard.

PQ: Mr Trust, Angelo? I will keep it at Mr Trust, you seem a little tense. Dont panic, I do not believe that Johnny here thinks his client will ACTUALLY sodomise you...cuckoo

PQ swirls his fingers at the side of his head and laughs.

PQ: In fact, I wouldn't worry yourself at all, you seem like you can handle yourself...

A phone rings in Quinns pocket. He takes it out and answers.

PQ: Hello? Oh is that so? He LOST. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

Quinn puts the phone down and into his pocket. He lowers the glasses on his nose and shakes his head in dismay.

PQ: Your screwed HAHA. But dont worry yourself Mr Trust, all will be fine and dandy come the morning. Hospitals nowadays are simply WONDERFUL.

Quinn jots something else down on the clipboard and as he does so the blank stare of the second doctor pops in from the side to look at the clipboard, then at Quinn before nodding his head and looking out of the screen towards the ring. Quinn slowly starts to turn the clipboard but as he does so, interference starts to cover the scene. A mysterious voice echoes through the arena.

??: THINK ON IT

The lights go out in the arena, and then a single spotlight shines onto the ring.

JT: ITS ENGEL, ENGEL HARLEQUIN IS HERE.

Lawless almost falls out of the ring in fear as Engel appears. Engel takes a few steps towards Trust and eyes him up and down licking his lips sadistically. A maniacal laugh can be heard as the spotlights go out and the arena lights raise. Engel gone.

JT: What the hell have we just witnessed?

HE: Whatever madness just occurred, Engel Harlequin has is eyes set on Trust and I fear the worst going into there match tonight.

Lawless still flustered awkwardly adjusts his suit as he walks backwards up the ramp.

JL: I told you. I told you.

The scene ends

*The scene reopens, and we see Lawless walking down the ramp. Trust stands in the middle of the ring, a red clown nose in his hands.

AT: How weird, everyone. It seemed like we were done but then we weren’t?

*He points over to the corner

AT: Engel, hey! I can still see you! If you want to do the Undertaker stuff then you really have to hide better.

*Engel pops his head up and looks around, then suddenly ducks down much lower after realising he’s caught. The Doctor interjects, still visible on the screen

PQ: Dats a slide affect of is meditation. Sometimes he thinks his knot their when his they’re.

*Trust looks at the Doctor with pure confusion etched on his face

AT: You are baffling, doc. I feel like I nearly understand you, and then none of it makes sense.

*Lawless has rushed back to the ring, concerned that his client’s name is being taken lightly.

JL: I warned you, Mr Trust. Your future is in question and you’re hurtling closer and closer to the edge of this cliff

*Trust smiles

AT: Good to have you back, Mr Lawless. Funny, you seem much more erudite when you reply to my part of the promo.

*He gives him a playful nudge with his fist

AT: We’re having fun, hey buddy! But the fun stops when the fighting starts. I’m just an honest wrestler, looking to make my path in the world of 6CW. Introduce myself to these fans, start my journey in this industry well and proper. My time in Mexico prepared me for entering the ring, but nothing can get you ready for the intensity of opponent here.

*There’s a kind of respectful ripple of applause.

AT: They get it, Mr Lawless. And so do I. I understand the man I’m about to face will go into that contest with a crazy curiosity about how the human body can be made to suffer. He will look to sate that by pushing me to the limit of a human’s capacity for pain.

*He looks to the screen

AT: They say he won’t sodomise me, but I genuinely believe he would if he could. This could be the first match abandoned due to teabagging. But...

*He turns back to Lawless

AT:...I suspect the puppet master need be controlled to stop that. Maybe my only chance is the fine line between his grip on reality and your desire to feed off real world success. Many men have been let down by their biggest strength.

*He points a finger at Lawless

AT: You might very well be his greatest asset, Mr Lawless. But he...

*He points to where Engel had been crouched, but keeps his eyes on Lawless

AT:...might soon find that you’re also his greatest weakness.

*Trust drops the mic and his music starts to play, barely audible over rapturous support from the 6CW audience. He bows to them before walking over to where Engel had been sitting and finds him there.

JR: This could be dangerous

*Trust messies Engel’s hair. As he goes to pull his hand away, he finds his wrist in the freak’s grasp.

HE: Goodnight Angelo!

*Quick as a flash, Engel pulls him in for the Sister Abigail, what he calls the Self-fulfilling Prophecy. Trust’s head smashes into the concrete and Lawless’s laugh can be heard over the speakers.

JL: Now this little scene is over.

*The screen shuts off and Engel waits to be joined by Lawless, the pair standing over the bloodied mess that is Trust. They walk away as medics rush out. With the pair gone, medics slowly work on Trust

JR: The man is out cold. Is this a preview for what we will see later tonight?

HE: You play with fire, you get burned. Angelo Trust is well meaning, he’s honest and he’s got guts, but he’s just learned what happens when you try to run with the wolves here.

*There's silence now as Trust is raised onto a stretcher bed. An ambulance rolls into the arena, thankfully able to make it in due to the great health and safety arrangements in 6CW that mean ambulance can drive through corridors and out into the main arena. He is loaded up and the ambulance drives away, sirens blaring.

Johnny is in the gorilla position watching the scenes unfold. An Ambulance rushed past and through the oversized entrance way. He looks shocked and yet slightly bemused as he picks up his phone.

JL: Listen, Doctor Jones I think I may have found someone that needs your help. NO NO nothing to do with Engel. So me and Engel left the ringside area and came backstage and this guy, this Angelo Trust bloke, f*** me doc he is delusional. Anyway he was talking to himself in the ring referencing me, referencing Engel and then...out of nowhere BLAMMO knocks himself unconscious. The crowd were laughing, shocked, upset it was an absolute disaster. Yes yes, I will give him your card. Anyway, another thing. Doctor Phineas Quinn ring any bells to you? Never heard of him? And Engel has never mentioned him either? Okay well erm I better go, the Ambulance is on it's way back around. Amazing how adaptive 6CW has become in this equal opportunities age. Yes I will give him your card. Thank you Doctor Jones.

The Ambulance rushes past Johnny who gives chase waving a business card.

*Scene fades*

*A loud and audible sigh can be heard as the ambulance drives away

A camera fuzzes in with static when it comes back to a picture James McManus is shown sat in his locker room. He takes a deep breath before speaking.


JM- Well here we go again urine. It seems like me and you are going to do this for all eternity. I saw your little comment about  me being arrogant. And tonight I will show you exactally why I have belief in myself when defeat you like I do every time we meet and get my first points on the board
You think you know what I'm going to do but this is a different James McManus to the one you last faced the one who had lost all belief in himself but was still able to beat you. The James McManus of old is back. The leg breaker is back. The McManus who was and still is seen as the future of professional wrestling  is back and tonight I dont only beat you I break you as you are the second step on making my destiny reality

McManus stands up and slams shut the metal holding chair that he was sitting on and puts it under his arm as he walks out of the room