The excited cheers from the RIOT 626 crowd are slowly, but effectively muzzled by a crisp buzzing radiating from the light fixtures in a mostly empty building.. The air is filled with the squeaks of the ropes, grunts, exhales and the occasional bumps as inside Luis Bishop is training hard. After a few moments, Luis’ attention is pulled away by the appearance of his “sponsor” Dennis Dillinger, who enters through the double doors to the training area to join Luis.
Dillinger: Hey Jake, could you take 6 and give us a bit of privacy?
The larger winded man who has been assisting training Bishop stops and gives Luis a quick look as he wipes the sweat from his brow and leaves the two alone, exiting towards the lobby to hit up the vending machines.
Bishop: Everything alright?
Dillinger: Well-
Bishop: …other than the obvious.
Dennis winces a little bit, perhaps thinking he concealed his troubled facial expression better than he did.
Dillinger: Heh. That’s actually why I’m here…
Dillinger: I’m gonna start by saying that your work ethic is everything I knew it was when I reached out to you last year.
Bishop's face grows increasingly worried as Dillinger continues.
Dillinger: You’d be hard pressed to find another kid with your drive, with your passion, and with your determination.
Bishop: But…..?
Dillinger: But… For some reason that hasn’t been working. This fire I see, the drive to get better, it hasn’t worked.
Bishop: Yeah but I’m still-
Dillinger: You haven’t won a match since February, Luis.
Bishop: Yeah but I’m still out here learning trying to adopt the new style,
Dillinger: We-
The Manhattan Mogul is interrupted by a now much more frantic Luis as he attempts to explain himself and continues to show his passion.
Bishop: …mix it in a little with my old one, try to find a happy medium.
Dillinger: Exce-
Bishop: You know I have been in incredible shape recently thanks to you and-
Dillinger: I’ve pulled you off of the shows.
Bishop leans onto the ropes, his eyes squinted as his brain attempts to figure this out..
Bishop: What? Why?
Dillinger: I’ve made no attempt to lie to you or hide how I feel about your progress, your presence… Your potential.
Dillinger: But I can’t sell “potential”. I represent results, results you just haven’t delivered.
Dillinger: When an investment like yourself - no matter how much of a sure thing it appears to be - starts costing me money, there’s only two things I can do…
Dillinger: Cut my losses and sell everything, move on to better things…
Bishop’s head drops, his brow loosens and he shakes his head in disappointment, beginning to turn around as Dillinger continues
Dillinger: … or I could double down and buy even more.
Dillinger: Luis? What do you want me to do?
Without turning back to face the man delivering the disappointing news, he answers confidently.
Bishop: Double down and buy more?
A crude smile wipes across Dillinger’s face, replacing his conflicted look, seeming pleased by the response.
Dillinger: Okay… Well I’m here to tell you that taking you off the shows is the first step of that.
Dillinger: The way I see it, I love everything you’re doing behind the scenes and I feel like pushing you in front of the people, the cameras, the top-tier OCW competition? That combination is only slowing things down.
Dillinger: Plus, with this new change in management, it might be doing you more favors than you think.
A dejected Bishop nods before finally turning back to the ropes, dropping down and rolling out of the ring to walk towards Dillinger.
Dillinger: And… I’m not done.
Bishop: There’s more?
Dillinger: Oh yeah. In fact, you’re not done for today, so you better refuel up quickly.
Dillinger tosses Bishop a water bottle, still fizzing from the added electrolyte replenishment packet.
Dillinger: See, “Dr. Funyuns” Jakey here has done fine as your training partner so far but it’s clear he doesn’t know exactly how to go from a scrawny young luchador to a true commanding Champion.
Dillinger: Luckily for you, I happen to know someone quite well who does.
In through the double doors, enters El Parca, who looks directly at Dillinger and smiles. Parca walks toward Dennis and Luis as he turns his attention towards Luis and looks him up and down. The World Champion looks to Dennis, then Luis, and back to Dennis before he gives Dennis a nod of approval before giving Luis a thumbs up.
We come back from commercial to find two of OCW’s biggest stars finishing up their entrance - Rust Cohle and Paul Pugh - The Lobby.
Pugh is pacing back and forth holding a microphone, while Frenchblade stands perfectly still, staring a hole into the hardcam side of the arena. The fans are excited to see them, and a small “Lobby, Lobby” chant starts up as Pugh smiles.
He marches over to Rust and pats him on the shoulder
Pugh: You hear that Rusty? They like us… they really like us!
He raises both hands in the air as a huge cheer erupts. Grinning, he puts his head down, shrugs his shoulders and looks out across the sea of New Yorkers
Pugh: Salutations… New York City.
The cheapest of cheap pops echoes out around the arena
Pugh: Summercide… we drew a line in the sand. Summercide we took the GOAT by the horns and we pushed those horns down into the dirt. We ended the Reclamation tour once and for all and proved ourselves to be the greatest tag team in OCW today!
Rust: … I am not surprised. Well I have to be honest, getting a pin back on Nate Ortiz would have been the cherry on top of that win, but I am not going to cry like our International Champion and his very underwhelming tour.
Rust: And now that we are FINALLY FREE from all these interruptions, oh I feel better my dear Paul. It has been months now since we tried to get our point across, always having someone to cus us off..
Rust: What was the point of creating the Lobby in the first place ? Putting Perfect Storm in their place, sure, but we quickly found out what you all already knew. Pugh and I have the kind of chemistry a few have in this business. Can even say.. Better than any teams in OCW.
Rust: The next step only makes sense.. New York ! I think it is time for Legendary Kid Ego and for the French Five Star Factory to make their move towards some new accomplishments..
Rust: And with that said.. MASS EFFECT. Our OCW Undisputed tag team Champions. I, alongside some help, created what you are proudly wearing. And Daddy wants his babies back. Your name has been called !
As the crowd react to Rust, a whining booms around the arena. Both members of The Lobby look at each other, then look towards the entrance ramp where Larry Mugen has appeared, barking into a microphone. He’s met by a chorus of boos
Mugen: Once again, I have been part of a greater conspiracy that is likely a direct order from that heathen Jaysin Sensation! Or maybe it’s Tiberius Dupree……BUT EITHER WAY. THE REFEREES CONSPIRED AGAINST ME!
Mugen pats the championship over his shoulder
Mugen: Regardless, I’m still champion through all of these shenanigans-
Mugen is cut off by Pugh
Pugh: Larry… Larry… Larry… I’ve pinned you twice in as many months… there was no need for corruption - no need for shenanigans… hell, the way I see it, you should be walking down to this ring and presenting me with that title you’re carrying…
Rust: You make a very nice point, Pugh. A very solid one. But guess what ? I have another.. See.. After the shenanigans you pulled to win that title, I have been informed that I still have a rematch if I ever want to.. Would be a shame..
Pugh lets out a large sigh
Pugh: Listen, let's not talk about that clown…
Mugen: For a bunch of DUMMIES, you did get one thing right. I had a tag team partner way past his prime and instead of lifting us both up to victory, he sandbagged us just like he has sandbagged everyone in his past.
As his tantrum continues, murmurs start to radiate around the arena. Unbeknownst to Larry, Nate Ortiz has arrived behind him, listening as Mugen continues his tirade
Mugen: See, even the crowd is talking to themselves right now discussing whether or not The “GOAT” is truly the “GOAT” or if he is a FRAUD. Paul Pugh, we were tag team partners in our past lives and you know damn well I’m a tag team specialist. I got the best damn hot tag in the business and you know what The “GOAT” did? Sandbag his old lazy ass as he tagged me in preventing me from building up momentum.
Mugen extends his hand out as he points at the crowd from left to right
Mugen: I was Michael Jordan of our team and Nate wasn’t even Scottie. He wasn’t Rodman either, he was freaking LUC LONGLEY! USELESS!
Mugen is still completely unaware of his impending ass-kicking as a spotlight finally illumiNATES Ortiz - Pugh and Rust both glance at each other and huge grins cross their faces
Mugen: I want you two to wipe those stupid grins off your faces. I know I make good points about Nate but I’ll get to you two in just a second.
Rust and Pugh share a glance as they both point towards the curtain in tandem
Mugen looks confused for a moment as the fans try to alert him. He pauses
Mugen: What are you talking about behind me…………….
He slowly turns around and is immediately met with a chair to the face, sending him sprawling backwards. Rust and Pugh both lean on the ropes, looking on as Nate lifts Mugen back to his feet before grabbing his wrist and hauling him up for an almighty Ortiz Express.
The fans erupt again as Nate stands completely still for a moment, over his victim. A few moments pass before he looks down at the International Title belt, sitting beside it’s broken owner.
Nate picks up the belt and spends a few moments looking at his own reflection in the gold. He shrugs his shoulders and throws the belt into Mugen’s face before walking back through the curtain. The Lobby can only watch on as the scene fades into something else…
GRUDGE MATCH "ICEMAN" MAC
vs.
MAD DAWG DAVIS (GUEST ENFORCER MARISA WELCH)
