Post by Spencer Adams on Jan 12, 2020 23:13:36 GMT -5
Part 1: Skype call
Mark Duplass: It’s been awhile. How was your break?
KOS: Fine.
Mark Duplass: Fine?
KOS: Lonely.
Mark Duplass: Sorry..
KOS: All part of the cycle, right? Just how a year end’s nowadays. I mean, it’s been a little over a year since….
Mark Duplass: Right..
KOS: It is what it is. I’m here. I made it to the new year, right? Don’t worry, I know gratitude.
Mark Duplass: Yeah, so...triple crown, US title, BIG stuff! Anything else you’re looking at anytime soon? Still holding onto that title shot...any plans to cash that in?
KOS: I’ve got something up my sleeve, yeah.
Mark Duplass: That’s it?
KOS: It’s bad practice to be too open, you know? Even if I like you, I gotta stay one step ahead at all times, you know?
Mark Duplass: Fair enough...well, I’ll let you go here in just a second, but there was one thing I wanted to talk to you about first.
KOS: What’s that?
Mark Duplass: Since AW decided to sign me to a multi-year content creation deal, that means I’ve got space to fill. I’m sorta heading a lot of it at the moment and they asked me about creating a best of series for the network, just highlighting different docs, specials, shows..you name it. So before I really dive in, I thought I’d pick your brain and see if you had any requests. Any footage from the doc that you want to make sure is included?
KOS: That’s your avenue. Whatever you think belongs there is fine by me. No objections on my part.
Mark Duplass: I’ll do my best then.
KOS: Talk to you later, Mark.
Mark Duplass: Later!
Part 2: Nothing
The light in the room was bright, almost blinding really. Beyond that, a hall that’s entirely in the dark. It was quiet with the exception of a particular two-man cell.
Petrov: ....depends.
Cameraman: Still haven’t told me your name or anything about...what any of this is.
Petrov: Petrov.
Cameraman: That it?
Petrov: Kameny...Petrov Kameny. Why does it matter?
Cameraman: Not much of an accent...kinda surprised with a name like that?
Petrov: I used to. Not so much anymore. You’ll find out eventually.
Cameraman: How so?
The brute of a man leans towards the door’s small window, his gaze aimed down the dim hallway.
Cameraman: Come again?
Petrov: Your name.
Cameraman: Christian.
Petrov: Right now, you’re probably clueless. It’s a lot to take in. You’ll get used to it eventually.
Christian: Could you be just a little more specific?
Petrov: They’re trying to break you right now. You’ll hear the word “cleanse” thrown around a lot. Of course, it’s all bullshit, but I suppose there’s no use in fighting it.
Christian: What do you mean?
Petrov: Think about it. Notice how much brighter it got in here after you arrived? How about the fact that you can’t see out there...not even a little bit..
Christian: Well, how do we get out then?
Petrov: When you figure out the answer that question, you should let me know.
Christian moves to Petrov’s position, pushing him aside politely to press his own face towards the window. As he does so, the light behind him burns more harshly.
Part 3: MadWRLD
KOS: It feels like it’s been awhile and yet, this title slung over my shoulder..that’s a heavy feeling, isn’t it? That’s what happens when someone when someone who has put blood, sweat, and tears into this company from the very beginning gets their hands on a prize like this. I haven’t even had a first defense and yet, this feels no less prestigious than a reign three times its length. I’ve taken this belt from vacancies and uncertainty to a cozy place and given it a champion that is ready to give it the main event status that it deserves to have.
Even in a match where the title isn’t being defended, it still feels like it is, right? I know that I can smell it rolling off the competition as we speak. I’m sure if you had a chance to get up close and personal with MadClan this week, you’d be able to see what I’m talking about..a pair of somewhat cheery and determined promos on the surface..but when you look just below the shot, you get sweaty palms and twitchy legs. Do you think they realize why their feet won’t stop shaking? Probably not.
That’s how it works when you go up against AW newcomers though. Being in the position that I am, I’m able to see them for what they are. People like this are underprepared, just a little more green than they let on. Here, the slate is wiped damn near clean and for Mad Clan, they’re left feeling like they have everything to prove. As other newcomers have trended in the direction of walking through the door just to realize the heat is too much and turn back around, it’s only made the weight pile on top of the heads of MadClan and people like them.
Weeks ago, MadClan was hyped up to be this grandiose statement, a formidable group of outsiders who would come in and dominate the locker room from the time we go live clear up until that final logo placement closes out the show. There was a goal in place and we were looking at a pack of determined individuals who were telling us “We are a family. We are a unit”..but look what happend. This person dipped, that person tucked tail, and the person who stood as a leader and Trinity World Champion choked in defense of that championship and has since peaced out herself.
This is what we have left. This was a stable that was supposed to define the new year and kick the decade off in a big way. Now, it’s two guys...two fucking guys. Given, it’s clearly the two best that they had to offer, but that doesn’t mean that it’s anything other than even MORE added pressure on the mental of a pair of competitors who have been reduced in a matter of weeks. It’s funny what a little bit of the spotlight does to people. If I didn’t know any better, I’d feel like we were just getting a reboot of The Guardians with CW actors.
I feel for my competition this week. Not enough to relent when the end game comes, but I do sympathize. Sometimes, you end up committing to an idea so much that you just feel like you can’t back out. It’s all about saving face and salvaging whatever is left of what was presented as something more than it is in this MadClan stable. Carnivore and Raging Dead, two group specialists who were originally content to fill a niche as part of a bigger picture now left to pick up a bill they can’t afford to pay after their friends dined and dashed on the whole affair.
Raging Dead was cozy in the Cruiserweight division and it looked like he had found instant rhythm in that field, momentum he was able to carry over to dethrone Vayden when it came time to unify championships. He said it himself though, it was time to try his hand in the big pond. It’s just a shame that his hand was forced the way it was, a career whose long term trajectory in this company was compromised directly via the actions of selfish, fake friends. Not that I feel Raging Dead will follow suit, but being left with other people’s workload like that isn’t enviable.
This week though, this is supposed to provide a sigh of relief, right? Carnivore, the tag team specialist gets promoted from recurring role in a failed stable to a front and center attraction in a blossoming division against two people who are set to face off against one another at the end of the month. On paper, you say that’s reason for a boost in confidence, but again...US champ here. That niche strength means absolutely jack all when you’re standing across the ring from a triple crown winner. Dress it up with as much optimism as you wish, this is uphill for MadClan.
I’ve beat people who have had their shit together way more alongside tag partners that were far worse than Roger Wright. Last year, I drug Chase fucking Jackson to the finals of the inaugural battle bowl. Now, I have the number one contender in my corner, someone who has come in with composure and focus. As much as Carnivore and Raging Dead would love to be able to pull one out here and turn around their dim current outlook, I’ve got somebody in my corner who I know won’t fall into the cliches of tag team betrayals or middle finger statements. Roger Wright will look to go in and take care of business, being careful that the King of Slabs gets to Revolution healthy and ready to defend. Roger knows that the only way to win a US title from AW royalty is to do so without controversy.
I don’t have to carry Roger’s weight in this match, but I will take over if the moment calls for me to. This match will serve as a proper welcome to both MadClan as well as Roger. One of these men gets to sleep safe afterwards while the other two get to stay up well into the night and think about that next step, an unavoidable side effect of flying too high too quickly and getting smacked down by someone who has set the standard for what it means to be the best in the biggest promotion in the world. Tonight, KOS rings in the year in convincing fashion. I just wish the same could be said about the opposition.
Part 4: Deep
The person you are trying to reach is unavailable at this time. Please leave a message after the tone.
BEEP
Mark Duplass: Spencer, it’s Mark. I found….something. I think you need to take a look at. It won’t make a lot of sense right now, but it’s just...it’s really important. I know I probably sound like a crazy person right now, but just...stay safe, man. I’m catching a flight now and I’ll be down your way as soon as I can. Stay inside if you can, don’t talk to anyone. I’ll see you in a bit..