Sitting alone in the locker room is Maxx Edwards. The B-List Bad Boy appears to be thinking or meditating in the aftermath of his match with H2O at Summercide 2022.
His eyes pop open a bit as he hears a firm knock on the door.
Maxx: Yeah.
Walking in is the CCW World Champion, Inness Quartz. Quartz stands across the room from Maxx and shuts the door behind him.
Maxx Edwards scoots up into his chair as Quartz closes the distance between them.
Maxx: …Congrats, big man
Quartz looks at his world championship across his shoulder and pulls it down holding it in his hand.
Quartz: I’m hoping you know the kind of impact you have around here.
Maxx goes to roll his eyes but stops himself to peer back at the Champ as he continues.
Quartz: Kass, Harvey, Furiosa, whatever.
Quartz: But Maxx, over the last year you have commanded the respect of most of this locker room.
Quartz: It’s real. You are real. These?
Quartz holds up the CCW Championship.
Quartz: The future of these titles… even this company, will be impossible to recite without the name “Maxx Edwards”.
Maxx looks at Quartz for a moment as a tense silence fills the room.
Maxx: Good to know…
Maxx: I’m still “next up”
Maxx lets out some air through his nose, obviously not taking the World Champ’s words too kindly.
Maxx: Really appreciate it
Quartz: That’s not quite what-
Maxx springs out of his seat to correct Quartz and starts acting out in very exaggerated motions.
Maxx: No, it’s okay. Being “next up” is amazing! I just gotta keep working hard and one day…
Maxx wipes a bit of dust off the Big Gold Championship and leans in.
Maxx: I’ll have my moment.
Maxx: And if I don’t…
Maxx shrugs his shoulders as he sits back down in the chair.
Maxx: Well then I can rest my laurels on knowing that I was the guy who “Could’ve Done it”.
Maxx: Cause isn’t that what we’re all here for?
Quartz pulls his title back over his shoulder as he looks past the charades and eyes down Maxx.
Quartz: Maxx, I-
Maxx: We were THIS close.
Maxx: If me and Terra would’ve won our matches, we could’ve RID this locker room of Kasstianity but instead they still hold a majority of World Championships around here.
Maxx: But it’s all good cause we left it to “The Big Man”, Inness Quartz to save us all and everybody knew he would deliver.
Maxx: Cause unlike me and Terra, you’re not “next up”. You’ve been there, done that, and have shown that you can deliver when the lights are at their brightest.
Quartz holds his hand up after the last comment.
Quartz: I’ve only been there because I suffered beatings at the hands of the same twisted minds that we faced on Saturday. I’ve only been there because I spent years getting dropped on my head.
Quartz: I lost this very championship in my first defense against Kasstianity. I was so frustrated that it caused me to be beaten down handily inside the Chamber… Where the lights were the brightest.
Quartz: This war with Kasstianity is just that - a war. You and Terra are not merely conscripts, ready to be tossed aside as you fall. You are soldiers because you continue to get back up time and time again.
Quartz: It’s true that I defeated Kassidy, but if you think it was a foregone conclusion or if you think I somehow did it by myself, you’re wrong.
Quartz: Kass might think that he’s the only one able to gain power from those close to him, but he’s also wrong.
Quartz: Watching you and Terra last weekend give every ounce of fight in your body gave me strength to fight that I couldn’t even describe to you.
Quartz: The war is far from over, Maxx… and if OCW is going to win this war, we need soldiers, not conscripts.
The champion turns and places his hand on the locker room door.
Quartz: I’ve been where you are now and when I landed there, I quit. I walked away because I thought I’d never be good enough. You see where that landed this company that we both love.
Quartz: You on the other hand, you’re still here. You might not feel it right now, but one day you will finally see how important it is in these very moments to get back up and keep fighting.
Quartz opens the door and stops one more time in the doorway, peering back to Maxx, who has since sat back down.
Quartz: After all, that’s what soldiers do.
The champion turns and exits the locker room, closing the door behind him.
A sudden burst of energy enters the backstage area as FloJo aggressively approaches the interview area. She shoves a female enhancement talent out of the way and begins to speak.
FloJo: give me that fuckin shit.
FloJo: Jasmin McKaffe you’re what’s wrong with modern-day society. You just couldn’t handle rejection…tsk tsk tsk.
FloJo: What happened?! Did you go all over the world to train at some Pine Dojo place? Oh, wait, was it the Ronald Mcdonald house, 'cause you’re such a clown. Running after me like a jilted lover.
FloJo: When you came back, I saw that you had joined TWC. For shame. But that was the first test when you put up a good ole fight against Ashley Moore. But you just couldn’t pull it off, now did ya?
FloJo: But you didn’t give up, oh no. Last weekend at Cide you cut a cutesy Nick Jr-esk promo not only trying to convince yourself, but the world that joining TWC was not only a great move but you were also gonna kick my ass as the other “better women” did. Out of those names you listed, I've beaten them (except harri) at least once.
FloJo: Owie my widdle eyyyyye. Im GoNnA BeAt uP FLojO. Yaaay-yippee! Do-do-do-do-do doooo. You felt the fire in your c-section after that promo.
FloJo: Yeah, I hit you in your fuckin eye, not because I saw you as a threat, but because…well, I felt that you were just a hippy-dippy dumbass that needed to see that you didn't belong in a match like that...Yet!
FloJo: And as for tonight, once again, It just didn’t work out for ya …Boy, I sure hope your son is watching the show, watching his mommy getting that work by daddy FloJo.
FloJo: And one more thing Jasmin, you may not have earned Ashley Moore's respect, but you’ve earned mine. However, unlike Ashley Moore, you ain’t my type.
FloJo: So take your big bird lookin’ ass back to Sesame Street with TWC.
FloJo: Now, to more important business.
FloJo gestures at her waist
FloJo: Look at me Furiosa…Heather Angelo or whatever personality disorder you’re going through, much like that plained-faced-flat-bottomed popstar Brit, I’m also got my eyes on you.
FloJo: I want my title back whether you or these dummies in the crowd like it or not.
C-Note walks in oozing confidence.
C-N: Things are coming together for those who deserve it.
C-N: The fortunate influence the fortunate and it all stems from one singular belief.
C-N: You do what you got to, to get what you want.
C-N: FloJo, gets it and that’s why she dropped that dead weight Mckaffe.
C-N: And now there ain’t nothing holding her back from knocking some sense into that scary sister Furiosa and reclaiming her Women's Championship.
FloJo nods and gives C-Note a fist pound.
FloJo: peace out, bitches.
The camera fades to black.
Birds chirp, the chattering of insects fills the air. We find ourselves in an expansive cornfield, the camera pans as a shirtless, sweat glistened Mark Reese rises and wipes his brow.
Over his shoulder is a huge bundle of hay.
Reese: Well dang… I didn’t think that’d take so long. And them horseflies… Like sharks with wings…
At this Reese claps a massive hand over his own neck.
Reese: Sorry lil guy but I need my blood…
The camera pans up and outward, showing a vast stretch of farmland, a beautiful sight.
Reese: Sure is nice to get out here away from all of them Kasstianity dudes… I wonder if Harvey is doin’ okay, but I wonder if Quartz has an opponent yet… I guess maybe one of ‘em will call me, or Mr Dupree to let me know if I’m bein’ subbed in.
Mark begins walking, making his way through the field, presumably towards home.
Reese: Well… Best be gettin’ this horse feed back for those hungry mouths… Speakin’ of horse… Nah, that’s a bad idea, don’ want this field to go up like the 4th of July. I sure hope my cousin-in-law is okay that wasn’t pleasant viewin’... Sue will be absolutely distraught. They’re both tougher than old boots, but dang… I’d hate that to happen to me.
Mark gives a big sigh, continuing on his way.
Reese: Time off sure is relaxin’
We turn to the ring, where Drago Cesar and Mugen have their couch and desk stationed for a LIVE episode of the P3 Bonanza!
Mugen: New York…..
Drago: New York!!!!!!
The crowd pops at the mention of their town. Drago and Mugen smile as they pace around the ring.
Mugen: Welcome….
Drago: To a very special LIVE episode of…..
Mugen and Drago: The P3 Bonanza!!!!!
The pair do a brief air guitar before they take their seats.
Drago: Tough Summercide for you huh?
Mugen scratches his head.
Mugen: I’ve certainly had better ones, old sport. Must’ve been something in the air that night. But hey, you win some you lose some but I’m still awesome.
Drago: I’m think it was the shoes!
The crowd shares a brief laugh before Drago gets back to business.
Drago: Last week at Summercide, I came out to the loudest crowd I’m ever hear in all my years. I’m NEVER hear crowd go that crazy for anyone, let alone me. I’m just some old man. But from bottom of my heart, thank you.
Drago: Rust Cohle! You are a man that commands respect in this ring. Part of one of the most successful factions in OCW. North American Champion, Tag Team Champion, OCW Champion, GRAND SLAM Champion…….One of the few members of the Beat Drago Club…..
Mugen lets out a brief chuckle and there are a few scattered jeers from the crowd.
Drago: Future Hall of Famer for sure! But despite all the accolade in the world, none of that matters when both of us step in the ring. You see Rust, at Kyoto…..
Drago is interrupted by the sound of Rust Cohle’s theme blaring through the arena to an ovation. The Frenchblade arrives carrying two big sacks filled to the brim with unknown objects. He looks around with a smirk on his face before he makes his way to the ring, staring face to face with Drago before dropping his baggage. He grabs a mic from an official.
Rust: Hon. Hon. Hon. BONJOUR IDIOTS.
He takes a chair and sits next to Mugen, who is right in the middle of it.
Rust: First things first I am glad to be here, old sports. And I brought a few things with me to show you my appreciation..
Rust: .. Here in NYC !
The second attempt at the cheap pop doesn't connect as most of the crowd tries to emulate how a French person sounds like.
As he turns back to P3, the duo is now wearing big black moustaches.
Rust: …
Rust: Anyway.. I am glad to return to the ring where my career started.. Can you stop that ?
Rust: In Japan. And I am so glad to share the ring with the one, the only, the Hall of Famer, Drago Cesar.
The crowd goes unhinged as they hear the legend's name. Men, women and children cry as security tries to control the situation.
Rust looks confused..
Drago: What's in the bags?
Rust has a grin on his face.
Rust: Mon ami, I thought you'd never ask!
Rust empties the sacks in the ring to reveal dozens upon dozens of championships, none of them from OCW.
A photo of Dominion enjoying a night out at the expense of a visibly passed out Spider at some random nightclub table, falls off as well.
Rust stressfully and shamefully grabs it and quickly puts it back in his pocket.
Rust: Whoops hehe sorry about that.
Rust: The Central Africa Lightweight Championship, the Fred Fuchs F***money Neverweight Championship, and of course my pride and joy…
Mugen scowls at him while Rust holds up a championship that looks like it's been through hell and back.
Mugen: Why, I oughta…..
Rust: The Djibouti Championship Wrestling title! Do you know what the capital of Djibouti is?
Mugen: DJIBOUTI!
Rust: Precisely. I bring all of these titles out here to sweeten the pot Drago. At Red Sun Rising, all of these will be on the line. I have defended these titles on every corner of the planet.
A giant tron flickers behind Drago and Mugen, revealing various locations with Rust holding his championships.
Rust: This one. The 999 Nihon Championship. What a night it was. Defended it in a back alley in Chicago. The same night Danny disappeared for months..
Rust: Oh yeah this one. You recognize this Mugen.
Mugen: The Sakuraba Slammin' Salmon Championship..
Rust: I actually defended it in the EuroStar Train, the one that goes under the Atlantic Ocean to get from France to Engerland. And yes, don't mind the cosplay. I had a Cyborg phase.
All of a sudden, a photo of a very young and chubby Rust Cohle appears. Apparently enjoying his birthday party while blowing candles on a king size croissant.
Rust taps on the remote repeatedly while sweating bullets.
Rust: Nope, sorry I don't know what that is. Skip.
The next photo is one from what appears to be 2019 with a wasted and shirtless CQC wearing TTT panties over their heads.
Rust: Hey you stop that !! Did Fred put this together ?
Mugen and Drago chuckle.
Rust throws the remote at the big screen that makes it flicker into an Ambition Indie Ninja Eliott Parker backstage photo, looking at the camera, preparing his HOF matchup.
