Backstage, Wrestling Club are relaxing against a wall; it’s clear that Chris is congratulating John, and John’s feeling very happy with himself. They’re hyping each other up, doing a small mime act of their synchronised arm drags, and from the right, Colin Locke appears, walking on camera and patting John on the shoulder.
Colin: Congrats, John, did pretty well for yourself, how’re you feeling there?
John: I feel amazing Colin. I just proved I'm better than you and all the other rookies.
Chris watches the two converse. Colin gets a sort of lop-sided smile on his face as he raises an eyebrow to John.
Colin: Easy, there, my guy. I wasn’t gloating to you guys after Ambition, maybe you should steady yourself a bit, I reckon there’s a while to go before either of us has proven we’re the best yet.
John: Well, you would not have won without our training. If it wasn’t for us you’d be living with the man in the box.
It’s quite clear at this point that Colin’s no longer taking John’s display as a bit of fun banter. His face changes to a look of mild disbelief and when he talks, he’s firmer than usual, and there’s more than a hint of sarcasm there.
Colin: Absolutely, that’s why you absolutely dominated the Battle Royale. I tell you what, man, tell you, I remember that bit, do you remember? That bit when you were absolutely kicking my arse all around the ring and I just couldn’t do anything about it, you remember that?
A cheeky grin appears on Colin’s face.
Colin: Yeah, nah, me neither.
Chris steps in between the two, holding a hand out to John, as if to hold him back. It’s clear John’s already starting to get upset. However, John pushes Chris’ hand away, stepping forward and getting in Colin’s face.
John: You know why that didn’t happen? The whole match you were running away from me then when it got to the final four you realized you had nowhere to run and you got yourself eliminated. You’re just scared of me Colin.
Colin: I… Er… What? John, you’ve got some serious mental gymnastics going there and you know it. I thought you weren’t into flips. Look, I came here to congratulate you, because regardless of what happened in that ring, you held on, you did a solid job, I have no problem with that, and, yeah, I got a bit unlucky, was a shame, but, it’s what it is, I’m not gonna lose sleep over, it, right?
Colin is just not registering the fact that John’s getting in his face, in fact, it's clear that he’s come to expect this sort of thing.
Colin: But, man, I have to say, if you’re gonna crawl up your own arse and do the ‘I’m the best’ act after that, then I’ve gotta say, even though I’ve got the Archer situation to deal with right now, I can always, always make some time to find out what might have happened if I hadn’t been so unlucky.
Colin cocks his head to the side for a moment, before finally adding;
Colin: Unless you’re scared of me yourself, and your ranting’s just some projection that you’re putting on me for whatever reason.
It’s at this point that Chris separates the two, pushing each of them a few steps back from each other. He looks at both of them, hoping he can cooldown the situation.
Chris: Listen, guys.. It was a good match, good showing from everyone. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves… John, we all know you're not ‘the guy,’ and Colin, we can agree that you’re not the best, either. Neither am I, none of us are. We’re the bottom of the barrel at the moment, so instead of sitting here arguing, let’s do something to prove we can stand out amongst the pack.
John: Excellent idea, Chris.. So why don’t you face Colin in the near future? If he beats you, I’m next.. If not, well then we know who the better guys are, because there’s no way I'm going to sit here and let him put words in my mouth. I never said anything about being the best. I am just better than him.
Looking over to Chris, Colin gives him an approving nod, smiling over to him.
Colin: You’re a solid guy, Chris, well said. That’s why I’m not gonna fight you, though.
He looks back over to John for a moment, before looking back to Chris.
Colin: I’m not up for John making you into a lapdog, if I’ve gotta deal with him at some point, I’ll deal with him. If he’s not game for that, then, you know, I’ve got Archer up my arse at the moment taking my stuff, I’m fine with having some kid just vaguely moaning about me while I’m getting on with my current business.
Chris lowly chuckles at Colin calling John a ‘kid.’ It’s something he’s heard before. Never gets old. John gets red in the face (not for the first time tonight, ayo) after Colin calls him a kid, having heard that line many times before from many different faces.
John: I’m no kid. I have been wrestling way way way longer than you have and probably for longer than you ever will. You can not even compare to me in the slightest.I have worked my whole life to get to this point and all you did was find some old contract in a storage unit.
Chris rolls his eyes, because of John with the ‘whole life for this moment’ line. At thirty-one years old, that line should belong to Chris. John moves Chris back and steps up to Colin again, but Colin doesn’t move, he’s still not overly bothered about any of this, more exasperated that John’s still angry, more than anything.
Colin: Then, as I said, don’t try and make your partner into your lap dog. Whenever you’re ready to find out for yourself how you fare against a guy who hasn’t put in the old mmmmblood, sweat, and mmmmmtears into wrestling yet, then I’m always game to make some time for you. I reckon you’ve got some thinking to do, and you need to get a bit less angry and a bit more humble before you can make that decision, though. See you guys around, hopefully John can have a bit of a rest, heal up a bit or whatever, wake up tomorrow bright eyed, bushy tailed, and see if you regret your unprovoked hissy fits.
Colin pats John on the shoulder again and gives Chris a quick approving finger gun gesture before he turns and starts to leave.
John: Can you believe this guy Chris? He not only thinks he’s better than us but he thinks I’m out here throwing hissy fits. What is wrong with him?
Chris sighs, watching Colin walk off before turning back to John, patting him on the shoulder.
Chris: Listen, regardless of what Colin says, don’t let him get into your head. That’s all he’s doing. Besides, we’ve got other fish to fry right now as well, so let’s focus on that and leave him to his troubles with Archer. Colin can be dealt with later, buddy.
John looks down at the ground as if he was just told off by an angry parent.
John: Yeah, you’re right but I will get my hands on him. This is not over -- I am going to beat him Chris. I can’t just let him disrespect us and what we stand for.
Chris: Yeah, yeah. Like I said, though. He’s a future problem, not an immediate one. We gotta deal with Derek and Tyler first, then we can take him out. First, though, let’s get out of ‘ere, I’m getting a little hungry. What’s the best restaurant ‘round here? It’s on me, so let’s go all out.
John: I heard boss man talking about the fact that they have really good pizza in New York. Maybe that’s the move.
Chris: Damn, shouldn’t have worked out if I’d have known I could’ve used that to gain weight. Never been to the city before I got here, so let’s do this.
Wrestling Club heads off-screen, presumably to get the best damn Pizza they’ve ever had.
BLOOD FEUD
SOLOMON CAINE vs. DOC*
We’re backstage at OCW’s 16th Anniversary. The crowd is going mental at the show thus far, as we’re brought to an area backstage in catering. In front view is the rookie that’s been on a hot streak, Colby McCallum. He’s enjoying a nice, warm coffee, engaging with the backstage crew.
Colby turns towards the camera, and notices that they’re on, for whatever reason. There’s no interviews scheduled. He decides he needs to send a message to his recent foe, James Fraser. The big meaty boy approaches the cameraman, and directs him to point the camera at his face.
Colby: Listen boyo, I need to say something. You mind?
The cameraman shakes his head and gives the second-generation superstar a thumbs up.
Colby: Good. I’ll make this quick.
Colby looks deadpan into the camera.
Colby: James Fraser. James, James, James. You did something that I only thought possible by the snakiest of OCW wrestlers. You kicked me in my manhood, and tried to end my young career.
Colby: Now, my family is used to people trying to steal the limelight from us, or creating some kind of fake roadblock, but you see, James; my father prepared me for this. He gave me lesson after lesson after grueling lesson about this business. He didn’t just teach me how to fight. He taught me how to survive.
Colby lifts his injured arm to the camera, showcasing the injury James Fraser gave him on Riot.
Colby: You think this elbow is the only weapon I have in my arsenal, James? Did you forget I had a second one? Now, this cast might suck to wear, and my arm might cause me some pain, but this is all temporary. You want to know what’s permanent, James?
He places his hand over his elbow.
Colby: The mark I’m going to leave across your stupid, bald head when I smash your f***ing face in, James. Unfortunately for you, I’ve also been training. I’ve been learning new things, with my new coach. Someone who’s teaching me how to react to the situation I’m currently in. My pops may have given me all of the knowledge I could ever need, but this man taught me how to approach each situation from different angles.
Colby: I’m going to make you cry for your maw, James. I’m going to show you what real pain is, my Scottish friend.
Colby looks over at the cameraman.
Colby: We’re good, mate.
He nods at that cameraman and walks off screen, as the show goes on.