Post by Torture on Dec 19, 2022 11:47:57 GMT -5
Marley was as dead as a doornail, some may say.
Or, at least, that’s how it would appear to the Action Wrestling fans who had come to love him over the last year.
With neither a goodbye nor “til next time,” Woodstock’s highest had seemingly disappeared into the same puff of smoke that followed him wherever he went.
So where does our Hero find himself now? Well, he sits in his Woodstock home doing what we all do at this time of the year: Preparing himself for family gatherings.
Alex Marley sits on a futon, a smoky haze filling the room around him. His eyes remain fixed on Zemeckis’s A Christmas Carol.
Hmm… Now, this just won’t do… We need to get his attention…
As if by magic, a large spectral figure appears between Alex and his TV set, causing him to jump out of his seat.
“ALEX MARLEY!”
The figure towers over Marley, who looks more confused than anything.
“Bro… who are you?”
“Oh, I’m just the na- WAIT! We haven’t much time! You must return to CruiserClash at once! The integrity of the brand depends on it!”
Now even more confused, Marley gets to his feet. He takes a quick glance at the occupied rolling tray on the table, then back at the figure.
“Okay, I know I smoke too much, but this may be the weirdest trip I’ve taken. Listen, bruh, I don’t know who you are, but I don’t see myself going back to AW. Not after the Incident. I’m sorry, bro. It just isn’t gonna happen.”
The figure seems annoyed, but also perplexed. It lets out a deep sigh.
“I really didn’t want to have to do this…”
“Huh-”
The figure socks Marley in the jaw, sending him reeling. As he stabilizes himself, we see a different setting, an unfamiliar family home.
“WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!”
Marley looks towards the specter, angrily, before noticing his new surroundings: a father and son sit on a couch, watching TV.
“Hey… where are we?”
“We’re in the home of one of your fans. Jonathan Meyers.”
“I don’t recognize him… I try my best to know all of my fans.”
“Well, that’s because after you left, the light of CruiserClash faltered. There was no pure goodness left to root for. So, all your fans had to place their allegiance elsewhere.”
Alex looks around to see a significant amount of Two Gents merchandise.
“Oh, no… They sold out…”
“Mhm… and that’s not all. Because, while the Gents are notoriously money-hungry, they are the closest thing to a good time CruiserClash has left. Their joviality and charisma makes them easy to cheer for, and their track record makes them appear invincible. Which brings me back to my original point, Alex. Do you know why you don’t recognize Mr. Meyers?”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not happy. He’s found himself in a situation where his attitude is contingent on that of an inconsistent man. Which comes into play right… about… now.”
Accentuated by the spectre's words, a bell is heard from the television, followed by Ethan Miller’s voice. New Champion… Serenity Holmes.
“Teo lost again?!:”
“Yes, Alex. And to an undeserving competitor. Serenity Holmes squandered two opportunities. Why should she get a third? You see, this is what the darkness of CruiserClash has evolved into in your absence. It’;s no longer just bad Spanish and Karlie Nash wasting time; it’s full-on corruption. The fans need a safe haven in this mad world. They need you, Alex Marley.”
Marley sits in silence. How could he have known it would get to this point? He was a b-list wrestler at best. How could he be so important to the atmosphere of the A-Show? Finally, he looks at the spectre, a new fire in his eyes.
“What do I need to do?”
“December 22nd. Dallas, Texas. CruiserClash is celebrating the 100th episode with another CruiserHavoc. ALL belts on the line. Get in that match, and show the fans that there’s still something to smile for. And if you manage to pick up some gold along the way, so be it.”
Alex thinks for a second, then nods, a determined smile on his face.
“CruiserHavoc, huh?
“I’m in.”
Or, at least, that’s how it would appear to the Action Wrestling fans who had come to love him over the last year.
With neither a goodbye nor “til next time,” Woodstock’s highest had seemingly disappeared into the same puff of smoke that followed him wherever he went.
So where does our Hero find himself now? Well, he sits in his Woodstock home doing what we all do at this time of the year: Preparing himself for family gatherings.
Alex Marley sits on a futon, a smoky haze filling the room around him. His eyes remain fixed on Zemeckis’s A Christmas Carol.
Hmm… Now, this just won’t do… We need to get his attention…
As if by magic, a large spectral figure appears between Alex and his TV set, causing him to jump out of his seat.
“ALEX MARLEY!”
The figure towers over Marley, who looks more confused than anything.
“Bro… who are you?”
“Oh, I’m just the na- WAIT! We haven’t much time! You must return to CruiserClash at once! The integrity of the brand depends on it!”
Now even more confused, Marley gets to his feet. He takes a quick glance at the occupied rolling tray on the table, then back at the figure.
“Okay, I know I smoke too much, but this may be the weirdest trip I’ve taken. Listen, bruh, I don’t know who you are, but I don’t see myself going back to AW. Not after the Incident. I’m sorry, bro. It just isn’t gonna happen.”
The figure seems annoyed, but also perplexed. It lets out a deep sigh.
“I really didn’t want to have to do this…”
“Huh-”
The figure socks Marley in the jaw, sending him reeling. As he stabilizes himself, we see a different setting, an unfamiliar family home.
“WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!”
Marley looks towards the specter, angrily, before noticing his new surroundings: a father and son sit on a couch, watching TV.
“Hey… where are we?”
“We’re in the home of one of your fans. Jonathan Meyers.”
“I don’t recognize him… I try my best to know all of my fans.”
“Well, that’s because after you left, the light of CruiserClash faltered. There was no pure goodness left to root for. So, all your fans had to place their allegiance elsewhere.”
Alex looks around to see a significant amount of Two Gents merchandise.
“Oh, no… They sold out…”
“Mhm… and that’s not all. Because, while the Gents are notoriously money-hungry, they are the closest thing to a good time CruiserClash has left. Their joviality and charisma makes them easy to cheer for, and their track record makes them appear invincible. Which brings me back to my original point, Alex. Do you know why you don’t recognize Mr. Meyers?”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not happy. He’s found himself in a situation where his attitude is contingent on that of an inconsistent man. Which comes into play right… about… now.”
Accentuated by the spectre's words, a bell is heard from the television, followed by Ethan Miller’s voice. New Champion… Serenity Holmes.
“Teo lost again?!:”
“Yes, Alex. And to an undeserving competitor. Serenity Holmes squandered two opportunities. Why should she get a third? You see, this is what the darkness of CruiserClash has evolved into in your absence. It’;s no longer just bad Spanish and Karlie Nash wasting time; it’s full-on corruption. The fans need a safe haven in this mad world. They need you, Alex Marley.”
Marley sits in silence. How could he have known it would get to this point? He was a b-list wrestler at best. How could he be so important to the atmosphere of the A-Show? Finally, he looks at the spectre, a new fire in his eyes.
“What do I need to do?”
“December 22nd. Dallas, Texas. CruiserClash is celebrating the 100th episode with another CruiserHavoc. ALL belts on the line. Get in that match, and show the fans that there’s still something to smile for. And if you manage to pick up some gold along the way, so be it.”
Alex thinks for a second, then nods, a determined smile on his face.
“CruiserHavoc, huh?
“I’m in.”
