The camera opens to RyVaughn, fuming backstage. As he walks toward the locker room, his voice echoes through the corridor.
RyVaughn: TELOS! Where are you?!
RyVaughn storms into the locker room, heading straight for Telos’ locker. As he arrives, he notices only an envelope. RyVaughn picks it up, and opens it to find the contents inside…
—------------
To RyVaughn,
I apologize for not being present tonight. With all sincerity, I wanted to have this conversation face to face, man to man. My actions last week were unjust, and one could argue, led to your loss against Elliot Parker. Despite that, my mother told me “never throw a stone and hide your hand”, so here we are.
Keeping my recent return in mind, OCW is not unfamiliar to me. I’ve seen, faced, and gone to war with some of the best to ever step foot in this company. It’s a double edged sword seeing your peers excel while needing to start from scratch. You feel pride. You feel disappointment. You feel anger. The world can’t see what’s behind this mask, so I choose to wear it all on my sleeves.
That brings me back to you. Like much of the roster, there is unlimited potential in you. Potential to be not only good, but great. I see it, just like the rest of the OCW universe sees it. But that’s just surface level. You want to know what I saw, just before laying you out in the parking lot last week?
I saw someone who was afraid. Someone who wished he could run away, again. Someone who will never achieve greatness as long as they keep being the shit stain running behind the man they call the “tribal cheeks”. I know the importance of family and how close relationships can take you to highs you’ve never imagined….or bring you to lows you’ve never been prepared to face.
This back and forth between you and I, it's familiar. It’s petty, and it’s dangerous, and Lord willing, it will be violent. There’s nothing that you can show me that I haven’t already seen, no pain you can deal that I haven’t already felt, and no challenge you can give that I haven’t already met. Don’t envy me, RyVaughn, because I already know how this story ends, and it’s just like the stories we read as kids. The good guy versus the bad guy.
The only difference is there is no good guy or bad guy. But when only one of us is left standing, you’re gonna see why I’m THE guy, and you’re just Claudio’s cousin.
Yours Truly,
Endgame Los
—-------- RyVaughn crumbles up the letter with a scowl on his face, and slowly walks out of the locker room.
The cameras fade to the next segment…
Sitting backstage on his own is Inness Quartz, we join the former champion as he’s finishing taping his wrists.
Quartz takes a bite from the tape, cutting it off at the end. As he pulls the tape apart with his teeth, he winces and wheezes, grabbing at the right side of his broken jaw.
As he takes several deep breaths, he hears the door open in front of him.
Deaver: Well, at least you made it to work.
Quartz peers up with a puzzled look on his face.
Deaver: C'mon, I’m just yanking your chain.
Quartz keeps his squinted eye affixed to Deaver, but says nothing.
Deaver: You know, because you never showed up to the Combat Center this weekend. I figured you might cancel again because of the whole face thing, but a phone call woulda been nice. I sat and waited for you.
Quartz shakes his head slightly and starts nodding.
Quartz: Right. Sorry, I’m still dealing with some unexpected side effects.
Deaver: It’s all good bro. We can focus up on tonight.
Quartz: No, Deaver. I gotta go out there alone, tonight.
Deaver: Ohhh, here we go. The tough guy routine again. I gotta tell ya, nobody believes in Quartz as much as Quartz. You really practice what you preach.
Quartz continues wrapping his other wrist.
Quartz: I have a feeling Caine is going to be up to something. People don’t just “show up” to return after refusing for this long. I’m going to handle him first.
Deaver: All good, big man. I’ve got plenty to take care of tonight as it is.
Quartz: Right… This Samsin stuff. Why do you care?
Deaver pulls his head back, a little surprised at Quartz’ lack of concern.
Deaver: What do ya mean?
Quartz: You and that idiot spent months going after each other. He beat you at Road 2 Glory… Now you’re interested in going on some kind of rescue mission for him?
Deaver: Yeah, I mean I made a rival out of the guy, but that doesn’t mean I don't respect him. I don't need him losing whatever mind he has.
Quartz scoffs at the decision as he stands over the now seated Joe Deaver.
Quartz: Hmph. Seems to me that he’s getting what he deserves, but you do you. I’ve seen the way those tech freaks are working. Just try and keep your own neck away from whatever they have going on. The last thing I need right now is to come save your ass because you got involved with business that doesn't concern you, gah' da-.
Quartz grabs at his jaw in pain again after getting himself worked up.
Deaver chuckles before standing up as well.
Deaver: You’re one to talk about protecting your neck, eh? Haha
Joe Deaver gives a firm pat on the back to Inness Quartz, who grabs at his own jaw again, looking annoyed at his pupil.
Deaver: I'M KIDDING, “Mr. Serious”! I’m actually going to go see what I can find right now. Good luck, tonight.
Quartz patiently nods towards Deaver as he exits the room.
ROOKIE CHALLENGE MAD DAWG DAVIS
vs.
CHANCE WILLIAMS
It’s early in what looks to be the interior of a hotel gym. It’s basically empty with the exception of one person running on a treadmill.
He’s dressed in workout shorts, tank top with running shoes and wireless head phones on. As the man comes into focus, we see that it’s Anthony Martin hard at work.
His phone, sitting on top of the treadmill as it’s replaying his match from AMBITION a couple weeks ago.
Martin stops the treadmill and removes his headphones from atop his head
AMart: Welp, nothing like having your age announced on national television to make you feel old. Looks like I’m officially the OLDEST rookie in OCW. No matter…
Martin pauses to check his heat rate while look at his the Fitbit on his wrist.
AMart:I knew walking back into this place wouldn’t be like old times. I came back to prove to myself and the rest of that locker room that I could still hang with this newest generation. And I’ve done that regardless of the outcome so far.
He picks up his phone and scrolls for a minute until finally stopping on what he appears to be searching for and sets it back down.
AMart: A fresh start never killed anyone and it certainly won’t stop me from accomplishing my moment. I’ll keep working and grinding till i get to where I want to be. This locker room is filled with talent that I can’t wait to get into to the ring with. With that being said, I’ll definitely be paying close attention to RIOT tonight…
Martin puts his headphones back on and looks back at his phone focusing on the image from Anthony Martin’s debut. The exact moment the Knee connected with KC’s head, just moments away from achieving his perfect return that would never come again as he starts the treadmill back up and starts to run again.
Backstage, Tacitus sits on an equipment bin, his streaked hair tied up in a high bun. He looks wistfully at his phone, before lowering it and looking down the hall. Footsteps approach, and Megan Morgandaal comes into frame, looking livid.
Megan: What. Did you. Do?
Tacitus: Your uncle punched me in the face.
Megan: What did you say to make him do something that bloody stupid?
Tacitus: I told him that you deserved the fucking truth, Megan. And I’m going to tell you. Do you really want to know it?
Megan nods emphatically.
Megan: I do.
Tacitus: I already told you.
Tacitus: My old man, your old man, and Jan go way back. Indie circuit, Scotland, around 1999. Your mum’s name’s Ashton, isn’t it?
Megan nods again, but with much less enthusiasm. The look on her face makes it clear that she didn’t expect him to have this information about her.
Tacitus: “Ring rat”, some people might have called her. I think it’s a bit misleading. I met her a few times. Wonderful lady. Cared a lot about people. Was more supportive of my rugby run than my father ever was…
Tacitus: Terrible taste in men, though. She was like my mum, in that way. Difference was, my mum married into the business with my old man. Knew she was always his second love.
Tacitus: But your mum didn’t want to come second to anyone. So when Alistar didn't step up, she did.
Megan: … why are you lying to me?
Tacitus: Megan, who else in your life is willing to tell you the truth!? What reason do I have to lie to you!? Do you think I’m that much of a sick bastard!?
Tacitus stands up to his full height, absolutely towering over Megan, who backs up with a start as Tacitus walks her down.
Tacitus: Nobody else is this company knows or cares what we’ve gone through but us and MAYBE Mark Reese!
Megan: The hell does Mark Reese have to do with it!?
Tacitus leans down and practically screams in Megan’s face.
Tacitus: I DON’T WANT YOU TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR FATHER’S IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT!
Megan is all but backed into a wall by Tacitus’ exclamation. The big man, all six foot seven of him, seems uncharacteristically vulnerable in the moment, and Megan, equally uncharacteristically, actually shows some emotion. When she speaks, there’s a tremor in her voice.
Megan: …Are you sure?
Tacitus sighs, and takes a step back from Megan, who instead follows him and wraps her arms around his waist. Much to the Gaelic Goliath’s surprise… she hugs him.
Tacitus: … I wouldn’t care this much if I wasn’t…I could talk to him first. Have some things I want to say to the bastard anywa—
Tacitus moves to walk away, but finds resistance from Megan, who continues to hold onto him. It’s only then that the scene is quiet enough to notice that Megan is shaking slightly, and a small wet spot is forming on Tacitus’ shirt.
Following the GOAT Academy trio from the RIOT arena, Bobbi Baddi has Chance Williams and Derek Smith inside of the GOAT Academy blindfolded.
She is standing in front of the two men, now dressed in street clothes after leaving the arena. Bobbi looks overwhelmed with excitement as she does a small happy dance in anticipation of the two taking off their blindfolds.
Bobbi: Alright! It is time… air drums take off the blindfolds!
Derek and Chance both remove their blindfolds and both men are shocked at what they see. Dereks' jaw has dropped so hard it is rumored it has started an earthquake.
Derek: Forget everything I said. I’m sorry about the affiliate comment. Cause THIS is some GOAT Academy member activity.
Derek: Chance you seeing this?
Chance: This is mighty impressive Bobbi, and extremely kind as well… thank you, very very much.
The cameras go behind Chance and Derek revealing a Stephen McCallum memorial, the memorial is positioned in the middle of the GOAT Academy glass showcase. The large statue is molded off the likeness of Stephen McCallum.
All three, Chance, Bobbi, and Derek walk up to the showcase to observe the new changes that Bobbi has done. The entire glass has been redone and a fresh coat of paint sported with the GOAT Academy colors. Derek is the first to walk right up and notice that his medal is now hanging from a new display.
The display has the medal and a plaque describing how he earned it.
Won and awarded by defeating Stephen McCallum at Wrestlution 16. Derek displayed grit, determination, and relentless pressure to show Stephen growth in his game. From the Golden GOAT to International Champion, Derek Smith represents the core meaning of GOAT Academy.
Derek: Man whoever wrote this really knew what to say to make a brother feel something. “Core meaning of the Academy”, surprised I was still thought of like that.
Derek gets closer to the case, resting his hand on the International Title that he lost at Don’t Come to New York to Claudio Stardom.
Derek: We gon get back there. Most definitely getting back to this right here.
Derek turns around to Chance and Bobbi staring at him as he realizes he was talking aloud. Bobbi walks around the showcase as Chance stands next to Derek. Chance looks right at the North American Championship and puts his hand on the showcase where it is.
Chance: Wouldn’t mind having either of those titles back in this showcase.
Bobbi: Why limit yourselves to just those two?
Chance and Derek raise an eyebrow at Bobbi as she is fixated on the statue of Stephen McCallum.
Bobbi: There are two World Championships, there is also the Tag Championships, both, of course, need TWO people in a team. Maybe… maybe Derek, is that three, in AT3? You can never replace Harris, Chance, but you have a great friend right here.
Bobbi walks back around to Chance and Derek and wraps her arms around them as she looks at the showcase from their side. Chance is smiling like a lunatic while Derek is shaking his head in secondhand embarrassment but with joy.
Bobbi: You two have really shown me what I’ve been missing in my-
All three of their phones go off, one at a time. Chance takes his phone out, then Derek, and then Bobbi. All three of them see the match card revealed for Turmoil 299, Chance takes a couple of steps back and facepalms. Derek goes to throw his phone but thinks about it and just puts it back into his pocket.
Bobbi while still looking at her phone: Soooo it’s still like that, hm, Derek?
Bobbi looks up from her phone and slides it back into her pocket. Chance is laying on the ground in the background spacing out as he knows what is about to ensue.
Bobbi: All of this!? AND THE TRIPLE THREAT!?!? And we still act like this??!!!
Derek: You think out of all people, I WANNA PARTNER WITH HER!? Her punk ass husband been pissing me off for weeks and you think I woul-
Derek pauses for a second and as a lightbulb comes up in his head, a smile appears on his face.
Bobbi: What? Are- is- he good? Hello? Earth to Derek, you were saying?
As Derek zones back in, still with a smile on his face, he starts walking back towards the front door, as Chance leans up confused on where he is going.
Chance: Derek? What’s ahh what’s up big man?
Derek: I have a really good and terrible idea.
Bobbi: And what exactly would that be?
Derek: You’ll see. I just gotta go talk to Camille real quick. And for Turmoil, if y'all don’t have nothing going on, go on a date, have fun, don’t question my actions.
Chance fully stands up after hearing that as Bobbi stands next to him. Derek now standing across from them has his arms crossed, and Chance’s demeanor is tense.
Chance: “Core meaning of the Academy” remember? Whatever you got scheming up inside that mind of yours. Remember that saying and remember him.
Chance points behind him to the statue of Stephen McCallum.
Chance: Remember that what YOU do, doesn’t just represent yourself. Your actions have consequences just like me and Bobbi. We wouldn’t want you put in any messes, so think before you go and act.
Chance begins to walk away with Bobbi following right behind him, he takes a second and turns around for a brief moment.
Chance: Remember what we're here for man. Don’t forget, Alyssa used to be one of us big dog.
Derek turns around right before leaving to finally address Chance
Derek: I’ve got a history of getting into it with everyone who turned their backs on us. You just reminded me she’s the only one who hasn’t been dealt with.
Derek: Elliot wants to play games with his disappearing acts and his dumbass PSA’s. Calling me an emotional threat, and not a physical one? He’s about to find out what games I like to play, what kind of threat I really am.
Derek turns around and goes to his truck and pulls off with speed. Standing there still are Chance and Bobbi, Chance is shaking his head in disappointment as Bobbi is running her hand on his back.
Bobbi: All will be okay Chancy. This will all get figured out.
The two walk back to the showcase as the cameras back away and fade to black.
