Backstage, The camera fades in on Mad Dawg in the locker room, shadowboxing and cracking his neck, full of adrenaline. He slaps his chest and hypes himself up.
Mad Dawg: Tonight's the night. No more talk. No more hype. I beat C-Note, I win this qualifier, and I punch my ticket to Certified Greatness. Ain’t no doubt in my mind—I am the future of OCW. And after everything that clown been sayin’? I can’t wait to shut his mouth for good.
Just then, C-Note strolls into frame, dripped out in gold and swagger, looking as fly as ever.
C-Note: Dawg, you still barkin’? Ain’t nobody scared of a mutt with no bite. I know you mad about End Games and still salty ‘cause I made you look like a joke on Riot 636, but this match tonight? Like I already said, it’s in the bag. I’m goin’ to Certified Greatness, gonna become a two-time Future Investment winner. And hell—might take Marissa out for a lil’ victory dinner after, just to rub it in.
Mad Dawg steps forward, fired up, but before it escalates, Claudio Stardom enters the scene with a cold glare aimed straight at C-Note.
Claudio: Yo, shut your mouth. Nobody wanna hear that weak-ass talk. I ain’t forget all you did to me. I ain’t forget that smug little mask you hide behind. Tonight? I'm gettin' my revenge, fam. You ain't makin' it to no Future Investment match. I am.
Claudio takes a step forward, full of conviction.
Claudio: I’m the one pullin’ that briefcase down at Certified Greatness. I’m the one headin’ to Lution for a world title. And when that happens? The OCW Galaxy will finally make sense again because the Tribal Cheeks will be holding gold once again!
He turns to Mad Dawg.
Claudio: You and me? We been through hell thanks to this dude, pup. Maybe it’s time we return the favor—team up and take Note out once and for all.
Mad Dawg shakes his head with a smirk, not even hesitating.
Mad Dawg: I don’t need no help takin’ out C-Note. I’ve been waitin’ for this moment. He’s mine. Plus you just said the dumbest shit I ever heard, saying you’re winning tonight. I should kick you in the mouth right now and show you who the real pup is.
C-Note bursts out laughing, clearly entertained.
C-Note: Yooo—Claudio tryin’ to squad up like this the Avengers. That’s cute. You still salty about your L at Wrestlution 18? The Money Makin’ Messiah had you cryin’ into your sparkly boots! You think a team is gonna change that outcome? Miss me with that.
As the three begin bickering louder, a slow clap is heard from off-screen. Devon Flash enters the frame with a smirk on his face, arms crossed as he surveys the scene.
Flash: Man… y’all sound delusional. For real.
The three turn to look at him, annoyed.
Mad Dawg: What you even doin’ here, Flash?
Claudio: Don’t you got a bounce-back tour to worry about?
C-Note: Last I checked, Nate Ortiz sent you packin’. Ain’t you tired of fighting above your pay grade?
Devon chuckles and steps in between them.
Flash: See, that’s where y’all got it twisted. Yeah, I lost to Nate—the greatest of all greats. But I didn’t fold. I didn’t fade. I looked dominant in that loss. So much so that management took notice. And now? I’m the fourth man in tonight’s qualifier.
The three stare at him in disbelief.
Mad Dawg: You gotta be kiddin’ me.
Claudio: This some bull.
C-Note: Man, this company wild…
Devon smiles cockily as he takes off his shades, his tone cutting through the tension.
Flash: Cry about it all you want. Fact is, I’m in this match. And tonight? It’s every man for himself. I’m not just bouncin’ back—I’m whooping all yall asses. I’m the one goin’ to Certified Greatness. I’m the one goin’ to Lution for that world title shot. So keep talkin’. Just make sure you back it up when that bell rings.
C-Note scoffs, brushing past him with a smirk.
C-Note: I already beat all y’all anyway. I ain’t trippin’. Just another peasant in my way.
Mad Dawg storms off after C-Note, fired up.
Mad Dawg: I’m not done with you, Benjamin!
Claudio stares at Devon, cold and still.
Claudio: I’m glad you in this match. My cousin’s servin’ time ‘cause of your snitch ass… and I ain’t forgot how you barely beat me last season. Don’t think I won’t return that favor tonight dominating your ass.
Claudio walks off, leaving Devon alone with a focused look in his eyes as the camera fades out.
WOMEN'S FUTURE INVESTMENT QUALIFIER #3
SARAH MOORE
vs. SHIANNE LOVELACE
*After End Games**
**A Defeated Sammuel Omen walks to the back alone. He walks through the locker room and heads towards the doors of the DNS locker room. As he is about the open the door, he pauses a moment and puts his head down.
He takes a step back and heads towards the exit of the arena. Cody Hagen can be seen in the path. Hagen thinks Omen is there to talk to him, but he walks past him as well. Omen doesn’t even meet the eye of Cody. **
**Pilgram, who was inside the DNS locker room, heard the footsteps of the big man, but when the footsteps stopped and ultimately got quieter, he left to follow. He notices Omen leaving the arena and runs after to follow him. **
Pilgram: CODY, STOP HIM!
**Cody looks at Pilgram then back at Omen, noticing he’s too far away to do anything at this point.**
Pilgram: You are useless.
**Pilgram starts sprinting towards Omen. After a few moments, Pilgram eventually catches up to Omen.**
Pilgram: Omen, what are you doing? DNS, and BASH specifically, were looking for you.
**Omen hesitates for a moment on hearing BASH’s name being called. But that hesitation only lasted for a mere moment. Pilgram tries to get in front of him, but only slows him down a small amount.**
Pilgram: I know this wasn’t the outcome you were expecting. The Clown needed to go. And you gave your best effort.
**Omen stares at Pilgram for a moment. **
Pilgram: Where are you going? What is the point of this? You know BASH will want to know where you are. What am I supposed to say?
**Omen shrugs this off. He just keeps leaving towards the door.**
Pilgram: Dammit. I know if I can’t get Omen back, BASH will have my head. But, if I lose Omen, I may never see him again.
**Pilgram ponders for a moment before realizing he almost lost sight of Omen**
Pilgram: SHIT! Omen, wait up. I got an idea.
**Pilgram once again catches up to Omen.**
Pilgram: I know you’re upset. But, I have an idea. In this land of weaklings that is OCW, boys pretending to be men, you stand out among them. But, still, that isn’t enough. I know a place we can go. To help you improve. To help you make those children in your way to look even less like the men they are pretending to be. Come with me.
**Omen hesitates again, but this time he listens to reason with Pilgram. He notices a car in the distance that Pilgram has pointed to. Omen gets in the passenger seat.
As he gets in, Pilgram pulls out his phone. He scrolls down to BASH. Just as he’s about to hit send…. He closes his phone and puts it away.**
MEN'S FUTURE INVESTMENT QUALIFIER #3
C-NOTE vs. DEVON FLASH vs. MAD DAWG DAVIS vs. CLAUDIO
The scene opens to a dingy private gym deep in the heart of Harlem, last week's Gauntlet winner, The Shogun of Harlem is seen working combinations on a heavy bag. The camera zooms in as Tre turns to speak.
Golden: Last week the Shogun of Harlem showed you what he was all about.
Tre holds up 4 fingers on his hand.
Golden: Mac, Simsin, Deaver, Trembley. Each man entered that match thinking they had it won, and each man was eliminated by me. When I’m In that mode, No one can touch me. The key for me is learning to live there.
Tre drops a finger after each name is mentioned forming a fist.
Golden: I’ve dealt with my fair share of losses, but you’re only truly defeated if you don’t use it to mold you into a version that is even stronger.
Golden: I’ve been told over and over that I deserve nothing, that I have achieved nothing.
Tre gives the camera an intense glare, indicating the importance of his next few words.
Golden: Truthfully it’s fine that they believe that, I WANT them to, I want them to doubt me at every moment.
Golden: All the doubt makes the moment that I do triumph all the more sweeter.
Golden: Jynx sure doubted me, and he ended the night on his back counting the lights.
Tre smirks
Golden: Only man to do that in years time by the way.
Tre’s face becomes serious once again.
Golden: I know it’s not enough though, I’m not there yet and looking back on my amateur wrestling days, I need to get back on that grind. Perfecting my style as the world greatest Submission Boxer!
Golden: I’m going to work harder and harder…. OCW I will become UNDENIABLE!
Golden: Word is bond!
The Shogun of Harlem resumes his training as the scene fades.
The camera roms around backstage before stumbling upon TOG members: Junko Jiirota and the returning Kameyo Hada.
Junko: Oi Kam-chan!
Junko: Kōgo-sama is glad to have you back and healthy. You missed her whole title reign!
Junko: She has been very busy ever since losing but TOG is still the ichiban faction in this place!
Don’t worry about losing to stupid star face last week. Obviously you were rusty right? Right!
Junko stands up in the middle of the locker room now flexing one arm.
Junko: Hopefully Junko winning Future Investment-o can motivate Kam-chan to get that killer instinct back!
Junko: Mondaini!
Kameyo looks back at Junko before leaving the Locker when she stumbles upon..
