The show opens with Malu standing in the center of one of the larger locker rooms in the arena. He’s surrounded by several members of the Turmoil roster and staff. The General Manager can barely hear himself thinking with all of the commotion and individual conversations taking place around him.
He tries to get them to settle down and focus on him, but his attempts go largely ignored until he yells loudly. The chatter immediately dies down due to the Samoan’s roar.
Ricky: Now was that nec-
Malu: Not now Ricky, damnit.
Malu: I realize that many of you have questions and concerns about what went down last week. I assure you their actions did not go unnoticed. But you have to understand that they’re trying to intimidate you.
Malu: They’re trying to scare you. They are trying to scare all of you off from wanting to win this tournament. Don’t let them. Dennis Black WILL defend The Turmoil Heavyweight Championship at The Clash, and it could very well be against one of you.
The wrestlers and staff begin talking among themselves again until one speaks up.
Corey Ford: Last week they took Colin out after he won one of the four way matches. But nothing happened after my match on Riot this week. Why is that? Is Riot just safer? Should we stay over there?
There was some chatter behind Corey after his question.
Malu: Settle down, everyone. Look. This bi-.. woman. This woman believes that she’s the smartest person in every room she enters. She made a conscious effort not to attack. Riot is no safer than Turmoil. You saw what happened at Chill Faktor.
Malu: She’s trying to get in your heads, so you’ll back out of the tournament. Don’t let her. This is a great opportunity for all you. There are ten of you left. One of you will be challenging for a World Championship...don’t let this chance slip by.
The camera pans to the locker room entrance where Christian Shepherd and Seb Abbott are seen boldly strolling in.
Seb: Ladies, Gentlemen, and whatever Lawrence Larkspur calls himself today. Fear not, your Television Champion is here.
Shepherd: Can’t help but be disgusted as I look at my fellow rookies. Not that any of you deserve it, but Madi-
Seb nudges Shepherd, causing him to sigh.
Shepherd: But your benevolent Queen wishes to remind you that last week’s show of force was an example.
Seb: A tame one, at that. We’ve made this real simple, ladies and gents. Fall in line and swear loyalty to the Royal Family of Turmoil. Or...well, you will be eating future dinners through a straw like Colin Bailey. We expect to hear from you soon.
Malu: Get the hell out, now! Don’t make me repeat myself unless you plan on defending that Championship tonight, Abbott. Against everyone in this damn room.
A few of the angrier rookies inch closer to Seb and Shepherd, closing the gap. The Television Champion and Shepherd slowly back away.
Seb: We’ll be going. Shepherd has a fatal way to win tonight to put an end to this unfair abuse of power.
Shepherd: Make sure you remember the rules of competition that were posted Monday night!
Abbot and Shepherd quickly exit the locker room. The wrestlers turn their attention back to Malu.
Malu: I like your spirit. Don’t let them intimidate you. Show them what it means to be a member of this roster. In fact, which one of you wants one of them in a match next week? Slow them what you’re about.
Ricky quickly raises his hand.
Malu: Three of you have a chance to humble Christian Shepherd tonight and next week, Abbott is in for a wake up call when he takes on Ricky.
Several wrestlers and and those on Turmoil staff clap for Malu, while some still seemed unsure. Meanwhile, theme music and the sounds of fans showing their disapproval could be heard elsewhere in the arena. The scene shifts to ringside…
Madison tapped on the mic until the audience quieted down. The audience boos Madison. Ed simply stands to the side of her with his arms folded.
Madison: And there it is. Beating something into submission ‘does’ work after all.
Madison: Last week were some of the highest rated Turmoil and Riot episodes in this history of this organization. No need to Thank The Crown for giving the masses something to think about over winter break. 2018 has opened strong because of us, you’re welcome.
Madison: The goal has never been to ‘take over’. The goal has never been to ‘destroy’. The Royal Family is on a Quest for change.
Madison paces around the ring, twirling the mic in her hand.
Madison: How does one change a juggernaut in the wrestling business, you ask? This has been the same company, with the same way of doing things, for over a decade.
Madison: They haven’t had to evolve because...because they have no competition. Sure people have left here to start their own clones of OCW, but it always ends in failure. This has led to Mr. Sensation becoming the epitome of a complacent boss. When that status quo is effected or threatened in any way...incidents such as what took place at the Anniversary Show is the result.
Madison: This company is no longer a place of pure competition. The mere notion that this company can be a place where the cream rises to the top scares many in this company. It’s about politics. Who kisses the most ass, being allowed to rest on your laurels because you were great almost a decade ago, how many men have ‘smashed’ Lotus Flojo, and...time travel?
Madison:There is no OCW! The OCW that a wide eyed and naive Dennis Black signed up for before meeting me is long gone. The OCW where we wanted to spend our entire careers. The OCW where one earned their keep? That is long dead. There a show named Riot, and we have a show named Turmoil with one man that connects us via a network.
Madison: A man that uses Turmoil to keep this company chugging along when the old men on Tuesday nights burn out from...what? I am not sure. But there is no ‘OCW’.
Madison: During my extended period of having to watch the most...passionate, hardworking, and competitive man in the wrestling world heal from his injuries, a solution to the death of OCW came to me. As i placed a warm towel over his head, it all became so clear. What we need is-
Irving walks directly towards Big Ed with his arms stretched out wide showing no respect for the much larger and younger Ed. Only for Irving to be stopped in his tracks as Madison steps in his path preventing him from getting closer to Ed. Irving’s arm remained stretched wide almost begging for Ed to take a swing at him.
Irving’s voice being picked up over Madison's Microphone as she stands between them still.
Irving: By the sounds of these fans, I think we are all in agreement that you talk too damn much. What we NEED is for you to shut up! They didn’t come here to hear a tantrum. They came here to see warriors fight. The Nassau COLISEUM is a place of gladiators. Fake Queens should observe, not speak.
Irving: So run along now, toots. I’m sure your young boyfriend needs a diaper change.
Madison: He’s my fi-
Irving: Dooooon’t care. Go get your nails done or something. I’ve conquered the best in the world to become CCW Champion. Today I’m here to conquer a beast.
Madison narrowed her eyes at Irving.
Irving: What’s wrong boy? Mama won’t let you play ?
Irving reaches over Madison’s head and slaps Big Ed across the face.
Irving: Huh? You in their big fella or you to stupid to answer?….Or you gotta wait for momma to give you permission to speak?
Madison responds to the comment with a slap which causes Irving to send another slap across Ed's face. As Irving and Madison begin to trade slaps back and forth over and over again,Irving connecting with Ed as Madison connects with him. Irving eats one last slap from Madison before he steps back and turns his back to Ed. Irving laughing as he continues to beg Ed to attack him.
Big Ed finally having had enough, runs forward to attack Irving from behind, only for Irving to drop down to his back and latching onto Ed's leg, forcing the bigger man to the ground as he begins to transition into a heel hook. But the brute strength of Ed was too much at this time as he is able to rip his leg out of the vice like grip of Irving as the pair scramble back to their feet.
Irving pulled his shirt off and threw it to Big Ed's face before shooting in for a double leg take down. He forces Ed into the ropes before just pulling guard and dragging Ed down to the ground. The much longer Ed begins to throw hammer fist as Irving Is quick to move his hip and lock onto one of Ed's out stretched arm. Irving extending his hips as he extends Ed's arm as quickly as he can using his years of jiu jitsu and catch wrestling to his advantage over the larger man.
Ed sticking to what has done him well in the past as he uses his strength to lift Irving off of the match trying to shake Irving off of his arm. Irving reaching up as he controls Ed’s head and transitions from the arm into a triangle as he locks his arm around Ed's leg in hopes to prevent the big slam. Irving using his free arm as he begins to land elbow after elbow on Ed.
The Elbows do nothing but anger Big Ed now as he is able to finally lift Irving into the air and powerbomb him down to the ring but Irving remains locked around Ed's neck and begins to laugh in his face taunting Ed to slam him again. Ed is quick to answer with another slam as he does his best to break the hold still. Ed goes for one last slam but is only able to make it to his knee, allowing Irving to pop his hips and send Ed to his back.
Irving began tightening the hold as he begins to slap Ed across the face again, laughing as sees Ed begin to fade. With one last breath Ed fights his way out of the hold shoving Irving off of him, sending him crashing out of the ring as security finally comes down to gain control of the situation. Irving laughs as he looks back to the ring at Big Ed as the camera fades to black.
The camera pans to the announce team.
What a start!
Lets keep the ball rolling.
Hendrix Invitational
The camera pans to the announce team.
Game ball.
We still got a long way to go.
We come back from a Buff Blaster commercial starring one half of the OCW Tag Team Champions, K.Dangelo to find Madison Cox having a few words with Shepherd before his match. She was standing beside a powerpoint presentation slide.
Each stilled image featured one of the three opponents Shepherd would be facing later in the evening. One could almost hear the groans of Shepherd as each slide appeared on the projection.
Madison: Don’t let his jungle love attire fool you, Rook. Radien Hayes has raw talent. But that’s just it. Raw talent with no guidance or plan of attack is useless.
Madison swipes on her tablet, causing the image on the projection screen beside her to change.
Madison: Captain Irish tried hitting on me during the off season. Not that I can blame him. I mean, look at me.
Shepherd looks Madison up and down.
Madison: I don’t mean actually ‘look’ at me! I’m spoken for.
Madison sighed.
Madison: O’Donnell has the heart of a lion. He’s got that ‘never say die’ attitude that the people love. He will probably be one of the more difficult men to deal with in your match tonight. But he isn’t the most dangerous.
Madison swipes on her tablet once more. A picture of she and Dennis in a hotel during their stay at the Tokyo Dome appeared on the screen. She quickly swiped again, and a photo of Ricky missing a dive appeared.
Madison: Ricky, somehow made it through the performance center. He somehow has a job, still. People like Ricky are the reason OCW doesn’t offer insurance. My only advice would be to avoid being around him at all costs. Chances are he’ll just hurt himself.
Shepherd listens like a child who's heard his parent say the same thing on hundred times. For a moment he holds his words but then decides to speak.
Shep: You're talking to me just like everyone else. Like I'm some lost rookie who doesn't know what the hell is going on around here. I know, it may not seem like it but I've been here almost a whole year. I can admit I haven't done a hell of a lot. But when I've been put on the spot I have left some positive impressions.
Shep: If anyone took the time to look at my match against Dennis a few months ago they'd know I have something. Hell, that's why I'm standing here right now with you. You saw that one day I just may be able to elevate to the heights of the champ.
Shep: You know any other time I would be upset that the big Kahlua Pork lumped me in competition with these folks who have been here for no time at all. But with what's at the end of this thing is worth being lumped up with guys who should quite honestly be holding my bags.
Madison's face turns to one of uneasiness.
Shep: Don't worry I know what my job is. As you've seen I can be a very patient man. I have my ambition, but right now the champ comes first. I'm sure there will be more spoils when I win this thing.
Madison nods slowly and sets the tablet aside.
Madison: You're right. I shouldn’t treat you like the rookies. You are ‘The Rook’, after all. I chose you because you ahead most. Bear with me.
Madison: Dennis and I game planned for everyone. No matter who it was, you included. I realize that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. We’re perfectionists, to an annoying level for many.
Madison: Abbot barely remembers who he’s facing before he reaches the curtain. I suppose with Dennis being on the shelf, I started to miss prepping. It’s my favorite part of all this.
Madison: I’ve rambled. Don’t mind me. If you feel you don’t need to game plan for this match, so be it. But...
Shep stands up and stretches.
Shep: I got this.
Madison: You better. Or else...
Madison smiles, picks up her tablet, and walks off. Shepherd tugged on his own collar once he was alone in the dressing room, hoping he’d never learn what ‘Or else’ meant.
***The camera goes backstage and you see CJ O’Donnell sitting up on the trainers table getting checked out.
CJ O’Donnell: This is kind of bologna that I am getting checked out for concussion protocol a week after the attack.
Trainer: Don’t shoot the messenger I am just doing my job. Just follow my finger.
As the trainer moves his right index finger from side to side CJ’s eyes follow him when the door to the trainers room opens up. In walks Riley Quinn with a smirk on her face as CJ looks disgusted.
CJ O’Donnell: What are you doing here?
Riley Quinn: Am I not allowed to check on my older brother?
CJ pushes the trainers arm away and stares a whole into Riley after her last question. Quinn can not help but smirk.
Riley Quinn: Did I strike a nerve? How long did you honestly think I was going to keep that a secret Caleb?
Caleb does not answer his sisters question all he does it stare at her as he is now standing in front of Riley with a pissed off look on his face.
Riley Quinn: You made my life a living hell growing up but I am willing to forgive you. We both came to OCW for our own reasons but I figured I would help you out.
CJ O’Donnell: How could you possibly help me out?
Riley smirks.
Riley Quinn: I have some information you might want to know...
CJ O’Donnell: What’s that?
Riley Quinn: I know who attacked you.
You can see the fire in Caleb’s eyes and can tell he is waiting for his sister to tell him who.
CJ O’Donnell: Who?!?
Riley Quinn: What do I get if I tell you?
CJ O’Donnell: Whatever the hell you want. NOW TELL ME….
Riley Quinn: Seb.
Riley doesn’t say another word as she walks out of the trainer’s room as Caleb has a perplexed look on his face.
