THE KINGS ROAD
MUGEN vs. WREX
We fade in from the previous match to see Jim Black and Debbie D. standing backstage. Debbie boasts a huge smile on her face as she tugs on Jim's ear. As Jim begins to speak, Japanese translated subtitles fade in on the bottom of the screen.
Jim Black: Ladies and gentlemen, as you can-
Debbie cuts him off with an exaggerated look of offense on her face.
Debbie: Jimmy! You're not even going to give me a proper introduction? C'mon, don't do that to me!
Jim laughs and nods his head. Debbie claps her hands before moonwalking back off of the set as the camera zooms in on Jim.
Jim Black: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us here live in Tokyo. The crowd has been absolutely hot, and here now to speak to them is the one and only Debbie D.!
Debbie moonwalks in from the other direction and spins, ending in a pose.
Debbie: Thanks for that amazing intro, Jimmy.
Jim Black: and thank you for joining us here Debbie. Now I understand you have something on your mind?
Debbie: As apt as you are cute, I tell you. Yes, listen.
Debbie: Now you know your girl likes to have fun. There's too much seriousness going on and the world needs more fun.
Debbie: But recently, I have been struggling to uplift the ladies of this locker room the same way I uplift you every week!
Debbie: Namely, Jasmin Kaffee.
Debbie: Girl, I told you I wanted to see you after my match on RIOT. I told you to call me back. I wanted to has this thing out in peace and maybe have brunch or whatever.
Debbie: Instead, I'm out here getting ghosted by you?
Debbie: I know you have your little wrestling match with Ashley next Friday, and don't worry. I'll be at ringside to get the best seat in the house. That way once your match is done? You will have no choice but to talk to me like a woman.
Debbie: Maybe if I hit up that muscleman Marcus, you'd return my calls, huh?
Debbie winks at the camera and laughs to herself, before turning to Jim Black.
Debbie: I'm just playin' Jimmy, you know you're my only bear in this locker room.
Jim laughs off the gesture nervously and continues to hold the microphone up.
Debbie: So big shout out to all my fans here in Tokyo, and for Jas'...
Debbie: I love to have fun, but don't forget who I am and why OCW has me on the payroll.
Debbie: I'm Debbie D. and the D stands for...
She gives another spin and snaps into the camera lens.
Debbie: ...Destruction.
The Crowd Cheers!
She smiles at Jim, winks, and walks off set as we head back to ringside.
It’s been a long time, but not really. Two years is nothing in the grand scheme right? And this is a grand scheme. A social network post flickers into your timeline, reposted by OCWFED, Gabe Seltzer, SomeDQs.com… they’re all carrying the story - the video of a man thought lost to the annals of OCW lore… you might have all stopped listening, but he sure as shit didn’t shut his mouth.
Tokyo. Roppongi to be precise. Paul Pugh is standing outside a club, wrapped in neon glows. He’s old, in a young man’s scene, but this city knows him, it embraces him. A warm hug. His journey back started here… and tonight… well I’ll let him tell you.
Pugh: OCW. It’s been a long time. Two years. Two long years. And I didn’t miss you for a solitary second.
Pugh: One thing to make clear. I’m not back for you. I’m not back for the fans, the locker room... Whatever. I could care less. I’m back for one thing.
Pugh: Sensation called me. He said to me “Paul, we’re putting a show together and there’s a boatload of money” and I put that phone down. See, we’re not on the best of terms. I don’t like Jaysin Sensation. I don’t have time for Jaysin Sensation. I don’t need a boatload of money. I went about my business and then about a month ago I got another call.
Pugh: “Paul I want you to…” I put it down again. I didn’t want to hear from him… but that one night, I happened to be sitting in a bar in Manchester. I happened to see the second half of Summercide - I’m told the first half was nothing to write home about.
He grins
Pugh: Maxx Edwards was on the screen. He had this big hype video. The fans were electric, he stepped onto the stage to a rapturous reception - that crowd was desperate to see him win the big one. I was transfixed, I sat and I watched an OCW match for the first time since I left two years ago. Here’s this kid - top of his game, ready to dethrone the… and then he got his shit pushed in. Quickly. Ruthlessly.
He grins again
Pugh: By Harvey. The kid that nervously shook my hand years ago in a random locker room in Bumblefuck, Nowhere. Could’ve been a Riot taping, could’ve been a Turmoil, who even knows at that point. But I watched him. I saw him arrive, I saw him introduce himself, I saw him working up the courage. He puffed out his chest and marched over to me and he introduced himself as Harvey. I told him that was a shit name and he should change it.
Pugh: Later that night, we wrestled. And we had a barnstormer.
Pugh: Harvey has natural instincts. Harvey is a stupendous wrestler. Harvey earned my respect that night. So much so that I walked back through the curtain and I told Sensation “we’re fighting at the PPV”. And we did. And he shit the bed. Like he’s done time and time again against me. He gets shy. He can’t cope… I am the antidote to Harvey and he hates it. He can’t stand it. It’s something that he’s struggled with for years.
Pugh: This isn’t a story about how I taught Harvey everything he knows - he wasn’t in my school, I didn’t meet him once, take his $1000 and create some backstory when he finally got to the big leagues. We’ve had a true, organic rivalry for over half a decade. We’ve shed blood, sweat and tears in the last 5 years. I took the World Title away from him in 2018. I’ve been a thorn in his side every time he got ahead. I promised him that I always would be.
Pugh: …and watching him stomp Maxx’s head in… I realised he’s got ahead again.
Pugh: So I picked up the phone, I called Sensation and I told him I’d be in Japan and he should make sure that Harvey is there too. And here we are.
Pugh: See. When I saw something in Harvey all those years ago, I also saw that he’d need to be humbled every now and then. And locker room… you’ve failed in doing that. You’ve outed yourselves as being useless. Harvey is not a god, yet you let him run roughshod over you all.
He sighs
Pugh: So here we are 2022. Kid Ego himself walking back into a show weekend…
Pugh: And It’s not about anything other than me and the kid I met in 2017. The kid that is seemingly head and shoulders above all of you. The kid that needs reminding how scared he felt that first night. How he’s felt every time he’s had to face me. This isn’t about titles. Leather and Gold. Accolades. This isn’t about Kasstianity.
Pugh: This is about a near 50-year-old man showing up to beat the brakes off of the best current-day OCW has to offer, just to prove I can. Just to put Harvey back in his place.
Pugh: This will be the mother of all Ego trips… and come Saturday Night, you’re all along for the ride - whether you like it or not.
Pugh: See you Saturday Harvey.
The video stops abruptly as your screen returns back to the social network. The likes and reposts are rising. Anticipation is rising. The Red Sun is Rising.
The scene opens in Albany, New York. Outside of the GOAT Academy we see many people walking up and down the street. One specific individual in a mask is looking down at his phone.
The cameras pan behind the individual as it’s revealed it’s OCW North American Champion, El Parca. Parca is staring at his phone texting away as he wades through the copious amounts of people.
Suddenly he bumps into somebody as his phone drops to the ground face planting right on the screen. A woman can be heard letting out a shriek as Parca is looking at his phone on the ground and crouches down.
???: Shite! I’m so sorry! This is what I get for rushing. Typical me! Wait a minute. Parca? Primero?! Now I feel even more embarrassed!
Parca, still crouching down, grabs his phone and turns it over. The screen is cracked down the middle as he grabs it and stands back up. To his surprise, he’s face to face with Catriona McCallum. Shocked, Parca has a confused look on his face.
Parca: No, no, don’t worry. It’s just a phone after all it’s not like it’s anything serious.
With a relieved look on her face Catriona smiles at Parca as his cheeks get red. The two break away from the large swirling crowd around them as they continue talking.
Parca: You’re Catriona, Stephen's daughter. I saw you on Ambition, you’ve picked up some seriously impressive wins lately.
Often never embarrassed, Cat averts her eyes, looking for anything else in the world to look at other than El Parca.
Catriona: Thank you! Really. I’m still new to all of this, so words like that coming from someone like you, Parca; It means the world!
Parca chuckles as his eyes are locked onto Catriona as he’s smiling like an idiot. He looks away for a second as he waves his hand in a playful manner.
Parca: Please, call me Miguel. If I know your name you can call me by mine as well hermosa.
The progeny of Aries once again darts her eyes around the room. Anything to avoid meeting his eyes.
Catriona: It’s weird. Usually I’m not this…high strung around other people. Must be because you’re…well, you. The Greatest Luchador of All-Time. Everything you’ve accomplished, and you want ME to call you Miguel? I’m flattered.
Catriona: Why are you in Albany anyway? Shouldn’t you be in Japan? Surely they have room for El Primero.
Parca puts an arm behind his head as his eyes close as an awkward smile appears.
Parca: Well to be honest with you, no I shouldn’t be. No room for Primero this time… and if I’m being honest with you, I’m glad. I get to have a break, no match, no obligations, just freedom.
Parca: So that’s exactly what I’ve been up to. Just roaming really, I got to explore the city enough so decided to peep what the capital was all about really. What about you though? Just get done training with the GOAT?
Catriona: You know what? That’s absolutely fair. I’ve been saying it since the S-Cup. You’re overworked and underappreciated! I’ve been keeping up with your career since…well, the beginning! Everyone needs…no, everyone deserves a break every once in a while, Miguel. Especially someone as talented as you.
Catriona: As for me, I don’t really train with Stephen all too much. Most of my training days are spent with Chance, sometimes Derek. Ever since the “schism” with The Wrestling Club, GOAT Academy has kind of fallen into a lull.
Parca checks his phone after Catriona is finished and slides his phone back into his pocket afterward. He nods his head to the side motioning for her and him to begin walking, as they do Parca chimes back in.
Parca: Shame, you’d think being the daughter of the greatest professional wrestler he’d take special interest in you. Seeing the success your brother has had, and the momentum you’re picking up it’s incredible. You McCallums are definitely a rare breed, could only wonder how well you’d be if you and I started training together.
Parca: As for a break, in time. Life has been a bit of a blur really. It’s constant go go go, to finally be able and have some time where I can think about things and reflect it’s… ahh, you don’t wanna hear about that right now.
Catriona: Stephen might be a hell of a wrestler, but father he is not. After all that happened in the past, I think I’d rather just keep my distance. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know what that means. I wake up to a text every single morning of him trying to be “cool” and “hip”. You do not want to hear the word “bussin” come from your 45-year-old father.
Catriona: What I do want to hear more of, though, are your ideas for training together? I also want to hear what’s pestering you. Honestly, there’s nothing better than letting it all out. I feel like you surround yourself with people that just tell you what you want to hear. I feel they don’t listen to you, Primero.
Parca: Well for starters, I feel like I know a thing or two. While I can’t show you some things due to… lingering issues. The more technical parts? I can for sure add some more weapons to your already deadly arsenal. One thing though is maybe be appreciative that he tries. I know I’d love to have my dad reach out to me if it wasn’t for constant nagging and groaning.
The two stop at a crosswalk as cars drive by in bursts. The traffic light is green while the sign on the sidewalk is red showing pedestrians can’t cross right now. Parca turns toward Catriona looking at her with a soft gaze.
Parca: We’ll see on what I share though. Maybe we could talk more about this? Over dinner? I don’t know if you’re busy tonight or if you’re even interested but I figure shoot my shot right? While it may seem I surround myself with “yes” men, most of the time I just ignore the things they say. I guess some would say it’s stubbornness but I get that from my mom and dad.
Catriona grins, realizing that the two share a similar trait.
Catriona: Yeah, taking after parents can sometimes be exhausting. I wish I could say I was nothing like Stephen, but I definitely have his temper. If only I could be more…relaxed. Chill.
She glances down at her feet, breaking Parca’s gaze.
Catriona: Dinner sounds good, though. I haven’t eaten in what feels like ages. Any place in mind?
Parca: I have a perfect place in mind actually. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, it’s quite a place that’s for sure.
The two make their way across the crosswalk as the cameras back up and notice before fading to black thay they’re holding one another’s hands. The cameras fade to black moving forward.
GENERATIONS TRIPLE THREAT
CHRIS BAXTER vs. COLIN LOCKE
vs. PATOLOMAI