The camera pans on an already full ring, with the recent budget cuts you need to save money somewhere, right? Nonetheless, already there, sat center stage in a chair, microphone in hand is Mr Turmoil himself, he takes a long moment to look around at the crowd, before lifting it up to speak.
Wrex: I’m sure there’s a lot of questions people have for me, regarding what happened at Hard Target, what happened, what went wrong, why I didn’t sucker punch everyone, why I stood beside them, and to tell you the truth? All those questions come with the same answer, I did what I went to do, four years ago, I walked into a match I wasn’t prepared for, and was even less prepared for the changes, I was screwed out of the title by those two, and after that? I never really did find my peace.
Wrex: ..While I was stuck on that couch, I had time to think on it all, and- well.. Yeah, I did what I went to do, I screwed Kass out of the title, out of his match, and it came down to a prepared me, and Bingo, and he won. I got the answers I wanted, and I settled a score. I don't forget, and I don't forgive what happened, but I dealt with it, win or lose, Kass lost, I won. I can move on.
Wrex: But that brings me to the real reason I’m here, doing this in front of you all, because that’s the key words, ‘moving on’, see.. Last year, right after Hard Target, in this same ring, I told you all, It was time to sign my yearly extension, and that.. It might be the last one I sign. Last week It came time to sign, it was sent through the mail to Scumchester, and true to my word.
Wrex: I didn’t sign.
He gives that one a minute to set in, quiet as it may have been.
Wrex: Every year, I set a goal, every year.. I hit that goal. This year? I didn’t have one, I went in blind, and saw a chance to put demons to rest. I didn’t leave with the gold, but I achieved my goal, one last goal. Now- The question is, what do I do now, Anniversary, for the foreseeable future, will be the end of my road, I want it to be special, it’s my fucking show after all.
Wrex: So the question is- What’s the final go-
“COME DOWN” screams around the arena as the opening power chords of “Kid Ego” by Extreme (1989) reverberate off every surface in the arena.
The fans are going goo-goo bananas as legendary hall of famer Paul E Pugh saunters onto the stage. He’s dressed in leather - lots of leather, head to toe in fact.
A jacket, slacks and the most obnoxiously bright pink patent leather shoes. He’s resplendent, and the fans are electric for his arrival.
Pugh: Absolutely not…
He shakes his head as Wrex cuts a confused look in his direction
Pugh: There is no way that I’m going to stand here and listen to some half-baked, CTE-addled goodbye speech. “Ohhh it’s been the time of my life…” “Ohhh I’ve got nothing left to achieve”. Fuck you.
The crowd pop for the swearies, but they have no idea why Pugh is being so hostile to their hero… shall we find out together?
Pugh: Wrex… you’re not walking out of here on your own terms. Not after what you did to me… you took everything away from me… and you’re not getting away with it
Wrex: So this is what the other side feels like.. But I can’t seem to remember taking anything from you, Is this about consequences?
Pugh: Lemme set the scene. One week before Hard Target… Pick your Poison right… you probably remember it - I mean, maybe you remember it - we all know your mind is mush these days… but let me remind you. You ran through Rust Cohle in what… 5 minutes? You really did a number on him - and you know what. I applaud it. All’s fair in love and war right? It was for the CCW title… except what you did had ramifications
He sniffs and brushes his jacket sleeve
Pugh: See, Rust didn’t tell anyone, but going into the Hard Target match he was hurt… he was hurt pretty bad - and while the old me would’ve found that hilarious… the new me ain’t laughing. Because your actions cost me the International Title - your actions derailed the plan…
Pugh looks around at the fans
Pugh: Yes it’s a monologue, deal with it.
They laugh at him
Pugh: See, Wrex - there’s something most people forget about me. While I’ve seen it all, I’ve done it all, I’ve been it all - there is one thing that alludes me. Because I’ve historically been a treacherous piece of s**t, I have found it hard to make friends… and because I’ve found it hard to make friends… there’s one thing I never achieved… I never won a Tag Team Championship.
The crowd boo
Pugh: …and then I found a friend. And we were on a hell of a tear. We were the single hottest tag team in the industry today… and we were on course to brush aside all of the competition with ease… I was on course to finally become a Grand Slam Champion…
He looks down and back at Wrex, with an accusing gaze and a pointed finger
Pugh: …and you took it from me.
More boos from the Turmoil crowd
Pugh: …so I want revenge.
He starts walking down towards the ring as the crowd begin to pick up - are they about to come to blows? Wrex gets up out of his chair and stands upright, expecting the same. As Pugh gets into the ring, the two men approach each other slowly, meeting in the center of the ring as the capacity Turmoil crowd reaches fever pitch.
Pugh: …Wrex, I don’t like you. I never liked you. I especially don’t like you now.
He pokes his finger into Wrex’s chest
Pugh: …you don’t get to have peace on your terms. You took away my Grand Slam and at OCW Anniversary… I’m going to take away your cosy little retirement party.
The crowd goes nuts as the challenge is made - Wrex snorts and moves closer to Pugh, who reciprocates - they’re nose to nose and Pugh is seething.
Wrex: I did have other plans, talking about grand slams. But if you want to walk down this road? Well, you’re no Ortiz but I suppose cleaning a black spot off my record will have to do. You’re on.
