As Riot comes in from commercial break, Kareem ‘Money’ Franklin is already standing in the middle of the ring. He smiles and the crowd gives off a low cheer as he raises the microphone to his mouth.
Kareem: Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you have all been waiting for! I have had the privilege of accompanying my clients on many a big occasion, but none may be quite as intriguing as the treat I have for all of you tonight. It is my honour to introduce to you all tonight, the ‘Living Legend’ Larry Mugen!
Kareem points to the stage and after ten seconds or so of waiting… nothing happens.
Kareem: I said it is my honour to introduce ‘The Living Leg-’
The familiar tune of Mugen plays around the arena and the crowd cheers as Mugen strolls out onto the stage. Mugen looks around suspiciously and gauges the reaction of the crowd. His eyes lock with Kareem and he nods approvingly as he walks towards the ring. He grabs a microphone before climbing into the ring.
Kareem: See, that wasn’t so bad was it?
Mugen smiles at Kareem and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Mugen: Karrem, old sport. I have to say the methods have not been methodical and at first I was definitely skeptical buuuuuuut, you’ve really figured it out old sport! Buuuuuuuut, these people can do a bit better don’t you think?
Kareem looks to the crowd, who clap and cheer in response.
Mugen: Do it…………..ask them again.
Kareem: Oooookay… Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for ‘The Living Legend’ Larry Mugen!
Mugen raises the doves to the crowd and they respond with a cheer. But the cheer isn’t as loud as before.
Mugen: Hmm, that’s weird….why didn’t they cheer this time?
Kareem: But they did cheer, didn’t they?
Mugen: Kareem, old sport. We both know that one doesn’t count right?
Mugen puts his hand back on Kareem’s shoulder. His grip tightens ever so slightly.
Mugen: Ask them…….again…….tell them to do better.
Kareem looks a little concerned as he addresses the crowd.
Kareem: Allllllright…. Ladies and Gentlemen, please show your FULL appreciation to the Lord of the Lariat, The ‘Living Legend’ Larry Mugen!
The crowd responds awkwardly. At first, a few cheers emanate from the crowd, but these quickly get drowned out by boos. Mugen looks furious in the ring, and turns his attention back to Kareem.
Mugen: I thought they were supposed to like me, Kareem! YOU PROMISED ME. YOU MADE ME DITCH THE CLIPBOARD! THE CLIIIIIIIIIIPBOARD.
Kareem: They do like you! But you’re acting a little crazy right now, my guy!
Mugen: Well, maybe I was crazy for thinking you could help me! You’re just like everybody else! You’re a liar and a FRAUD, just like I thought!
Kareem: No! I can do this, just trust me! Ladies and Gentlemen please for the love of God give it up for-
Kareem can’t even finish his sentence as he’s drowned out by boos and jeers from the crowd.
Mugen: This is all your fault Kareem! WHY IS IT SO HARD TO BE A GOOD GUY?!
Mugen grabs Kareem by the shirt, which is met by more boos from the crowd.
Mugen: You were supposed to make them cheer for me and you’ve ruined it forever!
Kareem: What’s wrong with you, man! No wonder these people won’t cheer for you - you’ve completely lost touch with reality! I tried everything, I promise! What do you even want from me!?
Mugen: All I wanted for them to do was to get them to cheer for me the way they do for Tony, and now they’ll never do it ever again! I had a FOOLPROOF PLAN and you told me to ditch it in favor of yours and WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Mugen shoves Kareem into the corner and moves towards him.
Kareem: Listen, my guy, we can work this out..
Mugen: I’ve had enough of ‘working things out’ with you, old sport!
Antonio Everrett: ENOUGH!
Antonio Everrett storms onto the stage, microphone in hand. He marches down the ramp as he continues to speak.
Antonio: You get your hands off of Kareem right now!
Antonio gets into the ring and interposes himself between Mugen and Kareem.
Mugen: And here he is. The gooooooolden child. Tell me, have you got a plan to work this out as well?
Antonio: As a matter of fact, I do! You wanna know why these people won’t cheer for you? It’s because these people see right through you. You want these people to buy your merch, or sign a petition, and why? Because you need validation - validation for something which you haven’t earned for a long time. You don’t want to give these people what they actually want to see from you.
Mugen: Tell me, what brilliant idea do you have?
Antonio: They want to see you in the ring… against ME!
With that, the crowd lets out a massive cheer.
Antonio: These people cheer for me for one simple reason - they know each and every single time they pay their hard earned money to come and see me that they are guaranteed to get a show. I don’t try to sell them merch, or sign petitions, or give them any other BS. I get in the ring and I PROVE my worth.
Antonio: So please, get in the ring with me at Anniversary and let me show you how it’s done!
The crowd cheers as Mugen thinks to himself for a moment. He looks over at Kareem, and then back to Tony.
Mugen: These people want us to have a match at Anniversary? Well I guess then YOU’RE ON!
With that, the crowd lets out the biggest roar yet as Antonio and Mugen stare daggers into one another. Antonio gives a small smile as Mugen backs away and out of the ring.
