Harvey Hamilton Ocean is walking leisurely backstage as per usual since the start of Season 18. He heads towards his second favorite place other than the Kasstian Church - The OCW GM’s Office of Empress.
But to his surprise he’s met with several not so Kasstian Ghouls in front of her office. Much to his dismay, he slowly walks in front of them to attempt eye contact.
Their hoods cover their entire face other than their mouths so Harvey cannot make out who they are. He pulls out The Kasstian Pamphlet with the lipstick written inside and the “ghouls” step aside to allow H2O access to Emp.
He’s a bit confused as to what is going on. He looks at them puzzled and before he knows it, Emp opens the door.
She breaks Harvey’s concentration from the “Ghouls”.
H2O: I was just about to knock.
Half of Emp’s eyes are revealed at the top of her shades focusing her attention at H2O.
Emp: I’m kind of surprised you’re here after what you did to my Main Even on Riot last week.
H2O: I did nothing of the sort. You asked me to be unseen and unheard from bell to bell, not before or after. How does the saying go? Don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing?
Emp smiles and H2O smiles back. As he does, Emp immediately frowns and throws Harvey off guard.
Emp: Lately, you’ve been walking around here playing pocket pool or whatever. I think it’s time for you to start working around here like the rest of us.
Emp: So instead of jumping people from behind and causing serious injuries to my wrestlers - Next week you will face a guy you had an interest for awhile ago with that very pamphlet.
H2O: Hanzo? He’s a dear friend of mine who has an open invitation to visit The Church. Why would you do that?
Emp: No. He’s had enough people annoying him lately. You will face SCOTTY X! MY MAN!
H2O regains his well known stoic disposition.
H2O: His invitation closed when he befriended Karmine.
Emp: I knew that would make you happy. Also, I don’t know if you reinjured DOC’s face with those chair shots. But if he isn’t, he has an open invitation to your match with Scotty with no restrictions . How’s that for your season opener?
Harvey bites his bottom lip and ignores her facetiousness. He shows Emp The Pamphlet.
H2O: Anyways, did you actually read this? This is what I came here to talk to you about.
Emp: What about it?
H2O: There was something written inside with lipstick. It can only be two people that could’ve written “Help Me”. La Mujera may need help coming back after costing Furiosa the very thing you’re going after. Or it could be…her.
Emp pretends to think hard and starts to laugh.
Emp: You really are gullible! It’s no wonder your friends constantly stab you in the back when you least expect it throughout your career.
Emp: Of course I did. I just needed some time to think about if I wanted to help her or not because like I said before, I’m with TOG now.
Emp: But I don’t mind helping Kassidy regain a valuable member to Kasstianity. As long as Kasstianity and TOG’s path doesn’t cross each other.
Harvey smirks at the notion that Emp is finally letting her guard down with him.
H2O: So which one is it?
One of the “ghouls” walks over towards The GM and whispers in her ear. Harvey becomes puzzled of the secrecy. Emp nods her head and opens the door to her office. H2O attempts to follow her in and the “ghouls” block him from walking in.
H2O: What the hell is this, Emp! This isn’t Francis or any one of our “ghouls”! MOVE OUT MY WAY! I want to know who it is!
Emp turns and leans on the edge of the slightly closed door.
Emp: That saying you said earlier was wrong, Harv. It’s “Don’t let the LEFT hand know what the RIGHT hand is doing.”
Emp: See ya around.
Emp closes the door as Harvey stares at her nameplate of the door. He looks to the left and the right of the fake ghouls and walks off.
THE RETURN
JOE DEAVER vs. DEREK SMITH
Backstage, Christian Garcia is getting ready for his match with the Wolves of the Vanguard, taping up his wrists and shadowboxing in the mirror. Within a few seconds, he’s joined by Luis Bishop, who looks raring to go.
Bishop: Let’s Go. Been ready to show everyone what I’ve been working on.
Bishop: Nate Mac…Darryl Webster
CG ignores Luis, instead continuing going through the motions.
Bishop: You ready?
CG seems to suddenly realize that Luis is there, and covers his initial surprise with a big smile and arms outstretched.
CG: AYYYYYYYYY, Luiiiiis! My BOY! How you doin’, hermano, what can I do for you?
Bishop: Want to make sure you’re as prepared as I am for our match tonight
CG: … oh, yeah, we do… um… about that.
Garcia’s smile takes on a more nervous tone, and he throws an arm around Luis’ shoulder, pulling him into a side-hug.
CG: Luis, I’m gonna tell you a little something I learned in college, it’s a business thing. It’s called… outsourcing. You see, when you’re too busy to handle a problem, you give it to someone else far away from you to deal with it. That’s outsourcing!
Bishop: …Okay but what does that have to do with our match.
CG: So then you understand! I was trying to outsource our problem for you. You’ve got bigger things to worry about than a whoremongering bum and Dimebag Darryl.
Bishop: Nah man I got this, I’m pumped. And I got a new mo-
Garcia places a single finger over Luis’ mouth, leaning down to the younger man’s level.
CG: Silencio, my boy, silencio. I got this. You got the night off! Celebrate! Sit under the learning tree with Wrex, or go help Samsin with his hacker problem, or… hell, I hear Megan’s single, maybe you could go hit her up? I think she likes you.
Bishop is bewildered at the statement though it is unclear as to what part caused this reaction.
CG: You do your thing… and I’ll do mine. Simple as that!
There’s a knock on the locker room door, and CG perks up, removing his hand from Luis’ face.
CG: Oh, speaking of outsourcing! Gotta go! Take care, Louie-Louie!
Garcia quickly exits the scene, leaving a very confused and mildly annoyed Luis Bishop in his wake as he slams the door shut behind him. Luis tries to shout after him, but in the heat of the moment, nothing intelligible comes out other than frustrated yelling.
Luis is left to sulk in the silence.
After a few seconds, Luis lets out some air through his nose and starts undoing his wrist tape as a man in a suit turns the corner and starts walking towards him.
Luis looks up at the man only to recognize him as the Manhattan Mogul… Dressed in a sharp navy blue pinstripe suit, he finds Dennis Dillinger standing above him with a grin on his face.
Dillinger: Hey kid, you look like you could use a hand.
Dillinger reaches into his suit-jacket pocket and pulls a business card out, discreetly holding it in his hand as he extends his hand down to Bishop to help him up.
Bishop reaches up to grab Dillinger’s hand. Dillinger pulls Luis to his feet and takes a step back. As he moves his arm back, Luis looks down and notices the business card now in his hand.
Bishop: Oh…thanks.
Without much thought about the act, a deflated Bishop goes on his way and leaves without even getting Dillinger’s name.
Dillinger offers a silent nod to the exiting rising star and we fade to black…
Maxx Edwards hits the rampway where the fans either go wild, cheering, for one half of the OCW Tag Team Champions. Maxx makes his way down to the ring dressed in the crispiest suit mankind has ever seen, girls are feinting and guys are sweating.
The drip-to-swag meter is going off the charts as the Barclays Center is hanging on by a thread wondering what one-half of the OCW Tag Champions has to say.
Maxx: Wow! What a crazy night it’s been so far!
Maxx: Now while I could come out and talk about this all day
Maxx points to the beautiful tag team championship around his waist.
Maxx: I’m out here for some more important matter…starting with this guy
The crowd erupts in knowing what the B-List Bad Boy is here to do. Maxx points to the X-Tron as former OCW North American Champion, AISU’s music hits the arena and the crowd leaves their seats with excitement.
Aisu comes onto the stage wearing a well-pressed suit all formal black and points down to the ring. The former champion and mentor of El Parca trots down the ramp as he high-fives those in attendance, as he slides into the ring he gives a nod to Maxx as Aisu’s music tones down coming to an end.
Maxx gestures towards the crowd: Woah woah woah! Save some of your excitement, we’re only half-way finished
Maxx gives another enthusiastic point toward the X-Tron like he’s pointing toward some Pay-Per-View logo. Nonetheless, El Parca’s music hits the arena as a mixture of boos and cheers are heard throughout the OCW faithful.
While some fans are fine with looking past Parca’s past others are skeptical, just like some of his peers in the locker room, the North American Champion has some ground to make up.
As the North American Champion makes his way onto the ramp he holds up his championship to the crowd and, to the men in the ring.
Parca makes his way down to the ring slowly making his way in. He gets in on the left side and circles around to the bottom right corner as he extends a hand to Maxx for a handshake.
Maxx hesitates for a second and the two men shake hands awkwardly as Parca sits down at the opposite table. Aisu seated across from him and Maxx, now sitting on a stool in the center of the ring.
Positioned next to Maxx is his half of the OCW Tag Team Championships, and on Parca’s table is positioned his OCW North American Championship.
Maxx: Now you two, are out here as you seem to be on a collision course for a rematch that the fans and I have been waiting for, for almost 3 years now.
Maxx: For such a highly anticipated matchup, there is no one more fit and more qualified to host the interview than the former host of the gone but never forgotten, the ratings rocket, Maxxed Out…
Maxx: Me.
Maxx flashes a smile to the camera and winks using his one good eye.
Maxx: But that’s enough about me, I’m joined by two titans of shiny white belts like the one we have here, so let’s get this interview underway.
Maxx turns to the Champion: El Parca, it’s no secret that today is Cinco De Mayo, any words from the heart for the fans here in New York and watching from around the world?
El Parca: Y’know Maxx I’m just grateful to have this platform. I’m grateful for the endless opportunities OCW has given me to show all the fans back home in Mexico what a kid from Tijuana can do.
Maxx: Truly heartwarming, but with your unannounced return at Riot 600, the fans were left with many questions. Why? Why then and why against your former teacher?
El Parca: Well… why? Honestly I wanted revenge. It was a huge moment for him, OWEN, and myself. I had been put on the shelf by one of those men and honestly? I thought my career was done.
El Parca: Specifically why Aisu? Why my former mentor? Well because of Turmoil Double Jeopardy. A match and a time he had no business being in. He watched me lose my title back then… so I wanted payback for what he did to me… and for abandoning me.
Maxx shares a gasp with the audience before turning his attention to the challenger, Aisu, who has been patiently waiting this entire time.
Maxx: With that being said, in what was set to be a rematch to definitively stake your claim as North American Championship, this man came back and ruined your moment. Is there a part of you that wants to get back at him and take back that glory?
Aisu hesitates while looking straight to Parca: No. That's not about that. I understand why you did what you did. And I am not mad at you. Not in the slightest. What I have an issue with, is all you claimed last week. You had some points you wanted to make, but , once again, you were not honest..
Maxx: Alright let’s rewind a bit. A couple of months back, before you were interrupted, many fans thought that you were ready to hang up your boots, yet here we are. What's keeping you here? Where do you find the gas to keep driving day in and day out?
Aisu: Like I said before, I have to lead by example, OCW management and talent development trust to lead the next generations of OCW superstars, but how could they trust someone who has lost his fire..
Aisu:
A fire that Owen reignited. He made me realize, I still want to do this. And I know that day would come eventually. Everybody knew.
Maxx: You’ve made some great points, however, since your legendary match at Wrestlution 14, some people might say that your careers have taken two different trajectories.
Maxx:
While Parca has gone on to bigger and better things, you've lingered around the same level. What do you have to say to those people who think you’re on the other side of that hill?
Aisu takes slight offense to the notion.
Aisu: I know that some people will not see what is happening behind the curtains, but I take pride in working in the shadows, preparing the field, that is what made me successful throughout my career.
Aisu: And yes, I made questionable choices, to say the least, and I might not have been 100% all the time or invested in working my craft to the fullest.. But I am a happy man. Because I have people who trust me to do the right thing.
Aisu:
And maybe some people will appreciate what I give to them. Not pointing fingers at me when things don't go their way, never THEIR fault. Being accountable for his own path is something that is still teachable..
He stares daggers into Parca now as the crowd acknowledges the little shots taken.
Maxx cuts Aisu off and tries to put a plug on his increasing temper.
Maxx: Alright let’s calm down, While we could talk about you two's International affairs, and there is a beautiful belt right in front of us, you've both also held this belt right here…
Maxx places his hand atop of his Tag Team Championship before turning to El Parca
Maxx AND it was with the same partner. Now, how did it feel seeing that man team up with your best buddy and defend your former championship?
Parca looks at Maxx and takes a second to think as the crowd waits patiently for the answer. Parca grabs his microphone and twirls it in his hand before he breaks his silence.
El Parca: Listen, I made A LOT of mistakes. Especially ones toward Mark, but seeing a man that we had JUST defeated come and essentially pick up my sloppy seconds? You just gonna take the easiest route every time you can?
Aisu: You left him ! Abandoned your friend, your only friend. You turned on him when he needed you ! For what ? Some pound of gold again ?
Aisu:
International and Tag wasn't enough for so long ? You were so willing to go to the mountain top that you were ready to stomp on your best ally to make it again.
Aisu: You wanna know why our trajectories went a different way ? While you were shooting for the top without looking behind you, I tried to repair everything YOU DID. God I am no cleaner, and people saw right through you, but I still had hope that the Miguel I..
Parca cuts off Aisu as he stands up and slams his fists on the table.
Parca: YOU DON’T GET TO SAY THAT NAME! WHERE WERE YOU? YOU TRIED TAKING MY TITLES NOT ONE, BUT BOTH!
Parca: You’re nothing but a coward who is ashamed that his student overshadowed you. You wish you could have my career trajectory? Arm Anderson right? You’re more like just a bitch.
Aisu jets out of his seat to meet Parca as Maxx grabs his championship and rolls back to watch the firework show
Aisu: Well, sorry Mr. Edwards, but you knew where this was going.
Parca and Aisu both shove aside their respective tables as Maxx sits on the outside. Parca and Aisu are both at a standstill as the two friends now turned foes tension is so thick it could cut the air with a knife.
Both men start backing into the opposite corners from one another in motion. The symmetry and knowledge of one another is on a different level.
They both edit the ring both refusing to stop looking at the other. The crowd going off the walls of the Barclays Center is lapping all of the drama up.
The cameras pan to the crowd and fade to black as the show rolls on.
