As Riot continues we cut backstage to the usual OCW interview area - award-winning journalist and mouthy bitch/national treasure Stacy Clark is standing by
Stacy Clark: Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome my guest at this time… Paul Pugh. Paul last week we witnessed quite a tirade from yourself regarding your current situation with Bobby Minio -
Pugh: Let me stop you there Stevie. There was no tirade. Why would I waste my breath on something that doesn’t exist to me? Bobby Minio is cancelled. As far as I’m concerned that boy should have a ten bell salute and tribute highlight video on the show tonight… Do you know what that video would show Stevie?
She goes to answer but is rudely interrupted
Pugh: Eh Eh… Shut up. It would show me. Paul Pugh. Leader of C4. The greatest professional wrestling faction in the history of this world. Do you understand my joke Stacy? I am saying that Bobby Minio has no highlights because he’s been leeching off me for 25 years. Now the boy has found a new host, which is admirable, I mean look at me Stacy. I am old as ****. Not quite as old as you’re looking these days, but I’m getting there right?
Stacy is aghast as Pugh points to her forehead
Pugh: ...you’re awful. Give me the microphone and leave. People tuning in are going to think they caught a re-run of Cocoon with both of our wrinkly arses standing here.
He looks at her as she looks both puzzled and furious
Pugh: Cocoon… its a film about old people messing with… you know what it doesn’t matter. Let me compose myself
Pugh composes himself
Pugh: Harvey. Your new friend is a good little get - after all I kept him around for a long ass time so he can’t be terrible right? See Harvey, it’s nice to watch someone as young and as stupid as yourself try to build some sort of resistance force. It’s nice that finally, after all of this time and energy i’ve put into this hellhole down the years, somebody is willing to take the torch and finally run with it.
He takes in a deep breath
Pugh: Harvey, I’m old. I’ve been doing this since you were swinging from your mama’s teet and I’ve been on top of this business since around the time you got your first pube. I shouldn’t have to show up every time there’s a baddy trying to make OCW sad. I shouldn’t have to be called upon to put asses in seats. I should just be able to sit out on my porch. Glass of lemonade in my hand. Yelling at people for walking past my goddamn property because who the hell do they think they are walking near my property?
He smiles and looks off into the distance.
Pugh:...and yet. Here I am. Again.
He shakes his head
Pugh: Riding in on horseback to save you morons from another evil stable who are obsessed with making OCW mediocre again. See Harvey, it's admirable - your cause. I’ve fought it more than once myself. But do you know what it gets you Harvey?
He shakes his head another time
Pugh: Nothing. See you’ll save the day, the crowds will cheer as the invaders ride off into the hills with their tails between their legs and their tushes firmly kicked… but what will you actually achieve? Not a single effing thing. See… you’re forgetting something very important. That thing you have around your waist HARVEY. That’s the most important thing. Not Kasstianity vs Inception. Not your new BFF. The 10lbs of Gold and Leather that you’re so elegantly disrespecting every time you walk through that curtain.
Pugh rubs his chin
Pugh (imitating a whiny voice): ...but I earned this, this is my destiny. I carried this company
He grins
Pugh: ...all you did was invite a pack of roaming trash wolves into the stable and they tore the place apart. We have cosplayers, we have dad jokes, we have people who grow beards between commercial breaks… and why?
He points at the camera
Pugh: All because of you. You’re the Champion of the single worst era in this company’s history and the blame lies firmly at your door. So you can build your army and fight your battles but eventually, you’re going to have to face the fact that maybe Kass isn’t the enemy. Maybe the enemy is something you haven’t even seen yet. Or maybe its AC Cobra.
He shrugs his shoulders
Pugh: Which brings me neatly to the reason that I’m here. Stacy!
He summons Stacy back into the shot. She arrives, albeit sheepishly, and he offers her the microphone. She takes it from him and holds it up to his face.
Pugh: AC Cobra is the man who would be king. He’s been here years, he’s a solid hand and I love everything about him. This is a man who barely makes enough money to afford his Xstation Live Subscription when he competes but he still shows up. Do you know what that shows Stacy?
She shakes her head
Pugh: Heart Stacy! If there’s one thing I appreciate in a person it’s heart… so let’s go out there and make him famous enough to pay for A FULL YEAR of StationBox Network Subscriptions! Thank you for the interview Stacy… back to you commentator!
The camera opens to Telos storming backstage, with Dillinger following close behind. As Telos begins to throw metal chairs and knock over equipment boxes, Dillinger runs around him, putting his hands on Telos’ chest to stop him in place.
Telos: Move! NOW!
Dillinger grabs Telos by the hand, in an attempt to calm him.
Dillinger: Listen, big guy….The sun’s getting real low…..
Telos’ eyes widen in anger as he snatches his hand away
Telos: Do you want to die tonight Dennis?!
A random arena staff member snickers at the exchange as he walks by. Realizing his mistake, he begins to run down the corridor, with Telos only a few steps behind. Telos reaches out, lifts the man over his shoulder and tosses him off screen. Dillinger shakes his head as Telos walks back to finish the conversation.
Dillinger: Alright, here’s the deal: I get you’re pissed about your match tonight. I do. And you’ll have time to fix that later; I’ll make sure of it.
Dillinger: In the meantime, I need you to stay focused. We got some bigger fish to fry, bigger game to hunt. And I need you to direct all that venom in the right direction.
Telos stares ahead silently, collecting himself before responding.
Telos: You’re right. Let’s get ready to make some noise.
The two men walk off camera, as we fade to the next segment....
We fade from ringside to the OCWFED.com logo on screen. That transitions to a Twitter logo with a voice over talking.
Voiceover: This OCW Twitter Minute is brought to you by BUFFBLASTER. Now with Lightweight Watermelon flavor. Gainz Bruh Gainz.
After the voiceover is finished, we fade to another social media exchange between MAXWALE one half of Rhyme Tyme Buddy Burns.
The OCWFED.com and Twitter logo appear in conjunction again before fading.
The Xtron Flashes On!
Previously Recorded...
A beautiful looking resort or spa of some kind is shown from the front. Generic stock music plays in the background as the scene is intercut between images of a sparkling pool and a luxurious looking fountain.
The view then fades inside to see an old, angry looking person playing checkers by himself. He slowly moves a piece to the end and says “Yahtzee!” in a broken, excited voice. A P O W E R F U L hand taps him on the shoulder and laughs as the camera zooms out to see Riot Tag Champion Ijitu Quartz.
He puts his hands together in front of him and smiles into the camera.
Quartz: Oh, grandpa. That’s not Yahtzee.
Old Man: Byahhh!
Quartz: Haha, you said it.
Quartz: Hi. I’m Ijitu Quartz. Your loved ones may be strong, emphatic leaders. They inspired you and made you the person you are today…
The camera cuts away from Quartz, but his voice can still be heard over the commercial. An image of clearly Spider Matsumoto in his Nate Ortiz costume is seen inside a grocery
store self check-out. He scans a half-gallon of milk, with a beep sounding loud.
Quartz: ...and now it's time to return the favor. The decision to get your old loved ones the help they need is not an easy one. We here at Trill Trash Trademark understand that.
Then he just stands there for a few seconds. The generic stock music continues in the background. Then, looking blank and confused, he scans it again… and again… and again. He repeats this process several times before an attendant walks over to help.
Attendant: Sir, can I --
TRASH ORTIZ: RAAAAPTUUURREEEE
Ortiz’s screams are cut off as the commercial shifts to a different old man. This time it’s Rust Sensation filing nickel after nickel into a vending machine, clearly not paying attention to what he’s doing. The $$$ counter on the LED reads “$412.45”, indicating that he’s been at this for a while now.
Quartz (VO): We owe it to our elders to take care of them in a responsible way.
Another cut brings us to Quartz himself dressed in his Tiberius Dupree costume, his gray hair falling out in chunks inside a vehicle. The camera is zoomed in close as Quartz Dupree has his arm wrapped around the passenger seat, looking out the back window as if he’s trying to drive in reverse.
Quartz (VO): They brought us where we are today and they should be honored for that.
Quartz Dupree continues to look out the back window, but as the camera zooms out a bit, we see the car is actually speeding forward, not backwards as it seemed. Quartz Dupree looks very confused but keeps looking out of the back car window.
The scene once again cuts, this time back to the beautiful spa, with Quartz walking into the view of the camera.
Quartz: Here at Trashy Oaks Live-In Medical Center, we pride ourselves at providing only the absolute top quality care for our very confused, very old, and very demented patients.
Quartz: Recently, we’ve seen a tragic amount of these pioneers of their time hold on to their pride and stammer into OCW arenas around the world. We have to continue the standard of “excellence” they began 70 years ago and honor them by placing them in Trashy Oaks Live-In Medical Center.
Quartz removes his PRISTINE SUNGLASSES and speaks candidly with the viewers.
Quartz: A few weeks ago, we saw a heart wrenching, emotional moment... When a clearly demented old gentleman by the name of Paul Pugh confusingly walk out in front of thousands of fans with no idea where he was… Pugh is his name, by the way, not just the noise we make when we smell his adult diaper.
Quartz leans in and whispers to the camera assuredly.
Quartz: Old folks have a very loose control of their bowels, you see.
The tag champ slaps the PRISTINE SUNGLASSES back on his face to wrap up the commercial.
Quartz: So please, do your part in pushing our communities forward and keep our elders happy by bringing them to our loving family to spend what little time they have left.
Quartz: We’ve got bingo, we’ve got old tapes of the Ambition Era, and we’ve got all the taffy you can eat. Here…
Quartz gestures his hands towards the spa area as if presenting it to the viewers.
Quartz: At Trashy Oaks Live-In Medical Center.
A logo for the assisted living center covers the screen as the stock music gets a bit louder and the camera zooms out. Quartz walks up to the building and the view raises up into the clouds.
RYU (VO): Paid for by TTT.
The commercial ends with the official TTT logo on the screen..
COOLIDGE vs DOC GREEN
Cort Marshall continues to walk with a purpose down the OCW halls, the crowd cheers when their patriotic American hero enters camera view. Billy and Chuck are nowhere to be found, apparently still stuck in the bathroom.
Cort: It’s good to be free.
As Marshall passes a table, staffer start to notice him walking quickly and stare as he marches. Cort turns begins to turn his head, looking paranoid and making sure no other guards are going to try and impede his progress. While he’s not looking, a figure bumps into him from around the corner, startling him into a combat stance.
Tayy: Woah! Calm down there, soldier!
Cort calms himself seeing that it’s not one of the men gunning for him and instead, it’s RnB sensation Tayy Breizee, who looks prepared in full match attire for his return match against the OCW Pride Champion Christian Shepherd.
Tayy: You good, man? You look like you done seen a ghost.
Cort: I might be seeing the ghost of Breizee future, if you aren’t careful in your match.
Tayy: Aha. Yeah yeah, you and Shep go back...
Tayy laughs and taps the back of his head coyly before looking down at Cort’s hand, still wrapped up and peering around for Billy and Chuck.
Tayy: Uhh, aren’t you supposed to be …
Cort: They’re… indisposed. Bad seafood.
Tayy: Ahh. I think I understand… Well look, I won’t keep you long, I know you and that man Shep out there got history.
Cort: History!? That’s a subtle way to put it. Listen, he tries ANYTHING, you hear me--anything at all, so much goes for a hair pull or an abdominal stretch assisted by THE ROPES--I’ll be out there. Capiche?
Tayy Breizee, while appreciative, responds with a forced grin and puts his head down, looking to deliver some bad news.
Tayy: I know you don’t know me well, captain America, but I ain’t got great luck when people interfere in my in-ring bidness.
Tayy: So, I respect the hell out of what you do and I get that you wanna crush that man, but lemme handle myself out there. I’ll be alright.
Cort: Are you sure about that? This guy ain’t your garden-variety bastard, he’s a certified psycho! He tried to end my career! And he’ll end yours if you aren’t careful.
Tayy puts his hands up to try and calm down Cort Marshall, who has began raging in the hall with memories of all the ways Shepherd has done him wrong.
Tayy: Damn, they ain’t lying about that US PTSD, huh. Bro, I got this. The Tayyficionados know I play things clean. I won’t get in your way after the match but for now… Just let me win this one clean. I gotta keep this undefeated streak alive!
???: Clean!? That’s rich!
A familiar voice overhears the conversation between Tayy and Cort Marshall and walks into frame, he stands tall and clean over Tayy Breizee and Cort Marshall.
Dillinger: ...not as rich as me of course.
Dillinger smiles into the camera and his silver tooth shines off of the backstage lighting.
Tayy: Mmm, mmm, mmm. Still lounging around without your snakeskin snake, huh?
Dillinger: Not that you would know, you criminal… but I’m a very busy man. I have more aspirations than to just mope to these stupid people out here.
The OCW Universe does not take kindly to Dillinger’s insults and start booing him.
Dillinger: And what do we have here? The often broken Cort Marshall. Clever idea by the way, faking an injury to avoid earning that paycheck. VERY business savvy.
Cort: I’ll show you how fake it is once I shove your entire head up your own ass.
Dillinger lets out a hearty laugh.
Dillinger: That’s the American spirit, kiddo! If you touch me I’ll sue you for all that you got… Including whatever broken down trash heap of a trailer you’re living in.
Cort and Tayy look at one another and then around to the several staff people watching the encounter.
Tayy: Hm, I think you’d need some evidence to win that suit there, Denny.
Cort steps forward up to Dillinger.
Cort: Yeah...I don’t see any witnesses here.
Dillinger’s arrogance fades as he looks at the several people who are obviously witnessing this happen. Tayy grins and looks over at them as well.
Tayy: Aye, you guys. You guys love America?
Onlookers murmur ‘yes’ and agree that they do love America in a crowded response.
Tayy: and do you guys see any witnesses around here?
The onlookers start to cheer and offer a ‘no’ in unison.
Dillinger begins to panic and backs away.
Cort: Well then! How about we see if that “head up ass” thing actually works.
Dillinger falls backwards before running away down the hall, just like he did from Natoli Joe.
Cort shakes his head.
Cort: Too easy.
Tayy: Man that’s funny. I can’t wait to put ol’ dude out of business. Look, man… anyways. Thanks for the kind words, but I’ll handle business out there. I don’t wanna get involved in your ish with Shep.
Cort: If you say so. But I’ll be watching.
Tayy nods and smiles and pulls up a fist, offering a fist bump. Cort looks confused, lifting his hand up and looking at it before fist bumping Tayy Breizee with an awkward upturned fist.
Tayy laughs to himself before walking off and singing in his beautiful RnB voice down the opposite hall. His voice fades slowly as the camera cuts to black.
Tayy:Jaaaane, you say… you say it's all over for you and me, girl…
The scene opens on a quiet section of the backstage area. The dimly lit hallway echoing the din of feet pacing across the thinly carpeted floor. The camera pans to bring the One Man Revolution, Bobby Minio, into the frame. He is walking back and forth, his lips moving silently, his eyes staring miles through any identifiable surface. It’s safe to assume that the weight of everything on Bobby’s plate is resting on his shoulders and this is how he processes it, prioritizing it and finding the best way forward. His eyes shift, noticing the camera but it takes a few seconds before we can see an indication that his brain has acknowledged its presence. He turns, taking in a deep breath and relaxing his shoulders as he squares up with the lens.
Bobby Minio: I’m gonna be real with you. In the face of so much progress, and so much promise, I’m in a dark mood. The World Title is around the waist of a deserving champ, an honest champ. The Trash types are on their heels, I’ve freed myself from the chains of C4 and on top of all of that, Paul Pugh got exactly what he deserved… and still, I feel… off.
He pauses, looking side-eyed down the hall, noticing something as his mind clicks.
Bobby Minio: Soooo, I’m going to do the adult, productive thing, and I’m going to put that darkness on someone else. Here, follow me.
Minio waves the camera behind him as he lurches forward, throwing a bit of steez on his steps as he marches down the hallway with a purpose. As the hallway reaches a T-intersection with another hall, Minio cuts off the current Pride Champion, Shepard, who was moving through the backstage area minding his own business.
Bobby Minio: Whats good, Champ?
Shepard looks Minio over for a split second, sizing the man up and assessing the threat level of the situation. As Shepard’s mouth begins to more to respond, Minio verbally jumps all over him.
Bobby Minio: No, I approached you, I’m the challenger, and just like I enter the ring first, Champ, I get to talk first. Champ.
There is an awkward pause as Shepard actually obliges for a moment, catching Minio off guard. Minio pushed past the awkwardness, furrowing his brow and centering his petulence.
Bobby Minio: Yeah, that’s right. Now… What’s good? Huh? What’s good Shep?
Shepard: … Excu-
Bobby Minio: Tell me what’s good… OR SQUARE UP.
Not one to back down from a challenge on that level, Shepard begins to shift his weight preparing to square up with Minio. Minio waves his hand dismissively, a frustrated look on his face.
Bobby Minio: Oh, you’d like that wouldn’t you. You would like to turn this into some backstage brawl, rather than doing it in the ring with that strap on the line. A title that I should have had fair and square going into OUR last match together, a match where I would have had more to lose on the line, and that outcome would have been very different.
After that claim, Shepard looks at Minio with a smirk on his face, not quite buying what Minio is selling on that last point.
Bobby Minio: Oh right, because you think you’re better than me right?
Shepard: Wel-
Bobby Minio: TZZ. I’M NOT FINISHED. You think you’re better than me? For what? What did you even do? Sneak a win out from under me while you were hanging on to your own consciousness for dear life? What, you beat Private Pyle after I beat him, wearing down his body for you… something you STILL haven’t thanked me for… and more importantly, shattering his confidence?
Again, Shepard begins to open his mouth to reply but Minio cuts him off.
Bobby Minio: Can I finish? CAN I FINISH?
Shepard: Apparently no-
Bobby Minio: Shepard! You are so damn rude. Anyway… I shattered his confidence, because walking in that match with you, knowing full well he was a fiat champion. A man defending a title he had already lost to me. If anything, you walked into that match with the champion’s advantage, and you didn’t even have the class, or the decency… to thank me. So I say again. You’re so very welcome Shepard. You’re welcome for handing you that title. You’re welcome for the boost in confidence after I let my foot off the throttle against you, and most importantly, you’re welcome, because every day you walk around this place with that title over your shoulder is a gift from me.
The two men stare at each other, letting Minio’s rant settle in, with Minio waiting for a response. The moment the muscles in Shepard’s body begin to shift to speak again, Minio shakes his head, turning around.
Bobby Minio: You know what? Talk to me when you’re ready to put that strap on the line. Until then, keep your thoughts to your damned self and steer clear of me around these halls.
With that, Minio begins to storm away out of frame, leaving Shepard to stand there, glancing down at his title belt, then back up towards Minio’s direction. The expression on Shepard’s face shows that deep down, he’s still not moved or impressed, but there’s a hint, the tiniest sparkle, that he is beginning to get annoyed with this, and it may need to be settled sooner than later.
The Xtron Flashes On!
Francis is finishing up a standard Kasstianity sermon opening when Kassidy gets off his throne and walks to the podium. Kassidy places his hand on Francis’ shoulder and Francis moves aside,
Kassidy: Last week, many of you here tonight were packed into the sold out Citi Field arena for one of the Kasstianity Tour Sermons and I thank you for that; even though it was for your own good to gather before me and listen.
Francis: Amen!
Kasstians: Amen!
Kassidy: With that said, you’d think with my absences that people wouldn’t hear my name throughout the show but that wasn’t the case. All throughout Riot last week, you kept hearing my name when you watched your DVRed episode because saying my name is what makes people relevant.
Kassidy: I don’t need a championship around my waist to be the most important person on the roster.
Kassidy: H20 may have “won” the OCW World Heavyweight Championship but he and his “group” even know TTT and I are the most important people on the show. H20 knows he hasn’t actually beaten me and he hasn’t succeeded in their quest to rid this company of us.
Kassidy: H20 is haunted by fans saying: You aren’t the legitimate World Champion until we see you beat Kassidy Hayes, one on one.
Francis: Which he is incapable of doing and he knows it.
Kassidy: When push comes to shoves, when its time to put your money where your mouth is, his own stable mate bet Kass.
Kasstians: Amen!
Kassidy: Another man that knows he can’t beat me is Paul Pugh, which is why he wants this to be about Him and H20; someone he has beaten multiple times. The man who lost my title wants a shot at the man he gifted it too because that's his only shot.
Kassidy: I beat Bobby Minio, Mugen, and Paul Pugh all in a single match so one on one, Pugh doesn’t want me and that's a smart strategy he is trying to pull off.
Kassidy: Speaking of Bobby, we all saw him side with H20 and Inception, it is sad really because even Minio knows I am the real threat. He has no faith in H20 or Pugh but he has Fear of Kasstianity and TTT.
Francis: As he should, He has witnessed the power of Kasstainity first hand, if we look back not only to The Chamber but to 2 years ago at the The Clash where Bobby was obliterated one on one by Papa Kass.
Kasstians: Amen!
Kassidy: All of these men have felt defeat at my hands, to be left at my feet and looking up at a true Champion.
