Gold Rush: Justin Cooper (c) versus Flex Mussel [World Heavyweight Championship]

[Da Prophet]

The main event of the evening for the WZCW World Heavyweight Championship. For weeks these two men have gone back and forth both with attacks inside the ring and verbally. Now, a rematch from SuperShow 5 will take place but this time it’s for the grandest prize in all of professional wrestling. Flex Mussel has been on a roll thanks to his powerful finishing move known as the Mussel Bomb. It has got him many victories and a spot as the number one contender. However, at Gold Rush he will be without that weapon. Thanks to WZCW Owner Mr. Banks, the Mussel Bomb has been outlawed and if Flex is caught using the move not only will he lose the match but he will be fired. His opponent, Justin Cooper has ruled the main event scene since Kingdom Come. Since last October at Lethal Lottery, where he defeated 28 competitors, every pay-per-view event has ended with Justin Cooper standing tall. His goal is to be known as the Greatest but many call him the Pretender. Can Flex Mussel overcome having his biggest weapon stripped from him just days before the most important match of his career or will Justin Cooper cement his claim to being one of, if not the, greatest of all time?

RP Deadline Monday 24th July 23:59 (Central).

Extensions available upon request.

 

[Lee]

Deadline is now Tuesday 25th July 23:59 (Central). No further extensions.

 

[Da Prophet]

They rode in silence through the streets of Indianapolis, Indiana just twenty four hours before the pay-per-view. In the wrong city, late at night and Mark Keaton was irritated. He and Xander had defeated Mancini and Wren like they were told. They had won! Finally, it had taken weeks but they’d put the puzzle together and yet Justin didn’t offer them a congratulations. Far from it. It was like they’d just failed again. He offered no celebration, no cheers or even a thank you.

“Where are we going?” Mark said, his arms crossed while he looked out of the window at the streets. The sun was setting and it offered a warm glow of orange which reflected off the glass windows of the various shops and houses as they travelled.

“I have some business to attend to,” Justin replied. “Like I told you before.”

“I know that but where is this business? What is the business? Why do I have to come?” Mark groaned, adding a big huff at the end of his complaint.

The driver up front paid no attention to the bickering in the back. He was paid for by Mr. Banks and didn’t speak. Mostly gestures and an odd grunt was his form of communication. Justin was weary of what was said around anyone supplied by Banks. They may not speak to him but they surely spoke to Banks and that was worrisome.

“You’ve grown slack whilst I’ve been away, Mark. Lazy. I shouldn’t have to babysit you at this point however here we are. Maybe hanging out with me for a couple of days will fire up whatever competitive spirit you’ve got left,” Justin said, his head slowly turning to face Mark as he did so.

The car came to a stop and immediately Justin fixed his suit jacket up, checking his hair in the mirror, before exiting the vehicle. Mark followed, his outfit a stark contrast; black leather jacket, his hair a wild mess of golden locks, his socks different colours, his pant legs different lengths and no shirt.

“No,” Justin said in a raised voice, his hand pressed against the chest of Keaton. “You can stay in the car. I wouldn’t want you messing this up. Seems that’s what you’ve mastered more than actually wrestling effectively as of late, isn’t it?”

The frustration had been building for days for Mark Keaton. Finally, he just couldn’t hold it in any longer and he screamed out loud. A swift punch connected to the car door, hurting his hand more than the door itself, but his adrenaline was pumping so he struck it again.

“We won! You saw Xander and I beat those two chumps on Ascension. We smashed ‘em and it wasn’t even close. What more do you want me to do, Justin? I’ve done everything you’ve asked. I can’t change the mistakes. The team didn’t work for the first few weeks, I get it. It took some time to get everyone on the same page but now we’re there. A little appreciation would go a long way, dude!”

As he let out a loud sigh, Keaton looked around and saw they were out the front of a hospital. Justin slowly adjusted his sleeves as he stepped towards Mark and stood inches away from him.

“Will this do?” Justin answered whilst slow clapping. “What did you want from me, Mark? A big celebration because you beat Tony and Wren. Congratulations but I’m afraid to tell you that I expect you to beat the likes of them. I expect you, of all people, to know that half assed performances are not acceptable to me.”

“I never half assed anything,” Mark shouted.

“Either you half assed it or you’re a god damn idiot!” Justin said, his eyes locking with Mark. People turned to watch but neither man cared. “That’s your options, Mark. There is no reason you, having spent all this time with me under my guidance, should be losing to Kagura or Vee. Do you understand that when you lose it makes me look bad? My name gets dragged through the mud and I have enough ignorant sheep to deal already; the likes of them glossing over my legacy as it stands without having to clean up after you every week.”

“It may not have been perfect but the best thing for the team...”

In the blink of an eye Justin struck Mark across the face with a slap. His hands grabbed Mark by the inside of the collar of the leather jacket and pushed him up against the side of the car.

“Listen to me, carefully. I don’t give a fuck about the team when my World Championship is at risk. I don't care about the team when you start damaging my legacy! I care about me! You hear me? I am the World Champion, Mark. You were there when I won it and I am forever grateful but don’t think that means you’re somehow untouchable. The team has struggled and when it struggles it points to me and puts me at a disadvantage. I will not be at a disadvantage because that could lead to me losing what I worked six years to get.”

“We won’t mess up, Justin.” Mark replied, meekly. “I promise.”

A smirk came over the face of the World Champion as he let go of his protégé. He traced his index finger on the area of the smack, which now glowed bright red, and then offered Mark a soft kiss on the forehead.

“Oh, I know. You won’t be around to screw up. I don’t want you, Xander or Andrew anywhere near my match tomorrow. Get out of the freaking building for all I care. Just stay the hell away from me. You lot will prove your worth to me by winning your matches before I let you anywhere near me while I’m defending the World Championship. Got it?”

He was angry, furious even and yet he felt somewhat guilty. Justin was the man who had given Mark everything. He had guided him through thick and thin and now, as he looked into the eyes of the man he called brother, he didn’t recognise the man. He had been hit by Justin before but this… this was different. It was all about him.

“Take a seat in the car, Mark.” Justin said. “I shouldn’t be more than an hour. Find some ice for that. It’ll stop the swelling. Nasty stuff. Accidents do happen though. Unfortunate but hopefully you’ll learn for next time, brother.”

Justin turned and walked away, entering the hospital with a smirk on his face and the WZCW World Heavyweight Championship in his hands. Through the halls of the hospital Justin walked confidently, he knew where he was going as he had called earlier to confirm the room and nothing had given him more glee than to find out the condition hadn’t change. After a few minutes of navigating the hospital, Justin reached the room he was looking for and had to suppress his excitement as the doctors left the room upon his arrival.

“Good afternoon,” Justin said. “Busy day?”

One of the doctors held her clipboard tightly and nodded.

“Nearly finished. Been here since three in the morning. Friend or relative? He hasn’t had many visitors lately.”

Justin pretended to look concerned as he approached the bedside table of the patient. Carefully Justin brushed the patient’s hair, pulling a chair closer to the bed with his other hand before taking a seat.

“A friend. Long time friends. I haven’t seen him for a long time, I must admit. I called yesterday and they said his condition hasn’t changed. Anything new today?”

“I’m afraid not,” said the doctor. She gave a weak smile before leaving the room, closing the door behind her to the private section of the hospital.

The room was silent except for the sounds of the machines in the room. Nobody else was there, the doctors had done their rounds and now it was just the two of them. Justin stood up and began pacing around the room, never getting out of reach of the bed, his hand always touching the soft blanket covering the patient. He observed the fan art, drawings by children of their hero with the World Championship, get well letters and flowers all over the room.

They loved him.

“But I hate you, Michael.”

There in the hospital bed was Mikey Stormrage. His body still broken. His back nearly shattered, unable to walk still after all this time and his eyes were closed shut. Put to sleep to save him from the pain however he often drifted in and out of consciousness due to the sudden strikes of pain in his back. Every muscle in his body sending a sensation like needles to his back whenever he was awake.

“Nobody been to visit. Some friend that Matthew turned out to be, aye? Nevermind, I’m having my own problems with my best friend at the moment. Such a delicate thing friendship. One minute you’re bond is so strong you can take on the world, the next it’s that friendship which costs you the world.”

Justin sat down next to Mikey, pulling the chair even closer as he tilted his head to look at the fallen World Champion.

"Doctor... is that you?" Mikey whispered, his fist clenching for a moment before relaxing.

“It seems so long ago that you and I were two titans fighting over this,” Justin said, his hand brushing the World Championship on the table next to him. “Now look you. You can’t run, you can’t fly… you can’t even walk. I know you can barely talk back, can’t even open your eyes when you want but from what I understand you can still hear me. You can process who I am and if that’s true, I want you know that you were right. I am the villain. I always was and you saw through it. You were the only one and if only they had listened, you might still be able to walk. You always saw through me, Mikey.”

"Out... not him... please... help," Mikey forced out from within his unconsciousness.

Reaching over to the table, Justin grabbed the title belt and placed it on his lap.

“This is a sweet sight, Mikey. The satisfaction that I’m feeling right now could only be outdone if it had been me that put you here. In some roundabout way, perhaps I did. It was my protégé that broke your back but I would’ve loved to be there in person to feel your bones crack. I hate you. You nearly ruined everything for me… unfortunately for you, I’ve always been one step ahead and that’s why I keep this title unlike you. That’s why Flex Mussel doesn’t stand a chance, Mikey.

Flex isn’t much like you. He thinks he knows who I am, that I’m some brash guy who just talks a lot but you’ve always known better. It’s why you were the hardest to put down. Flex enters the ring assuming what I am but you actually knew. You saw through all of it and saw the raw dealings of a villain. If only Flex could see what was standing in front of him rather than boasting about beating an old man at Kingdom Come or a second rate bitch, your former bitch. Remember Eve Taylor? Remember when she left you?”

A smile grew across his face and Justin stood up, walking around the room and began pulling fan art off the walls and ripping them up. He tossed the pieces up into the air and spun underneath as they fell like snow, his laughter echoing across the room.

“Fans are a fickle bunch, Michael. You remember how they cheered me even after you warned them? They cheer Flex Mussel, to his credit, even though he doesn’t want them. He should embrace them, though. It’s at least something he can take with him because you know as good as I do, that only a handful belong in the main event and many more are simply visiting. Flex Mussel is without his greatest weapon, did I tell you that?

It’s wonderful, Mikey. I convinced the Board of Directors to ban his Mussel Bomb. A bunch of schools kids rather than businessmen. They bended to my will faster than anyone else have ever done. Flex will cry and moan about the decision and that will be his downfall, Mikey. Excuses, excuses, excuses… they all have ‘em and yet none connect the dots that when you wrestle me excuses are a dime a dozen. Everyone has to have one because I can’t be that good. Oh no, it cannot be that Justin Cooper is the greatest wrestler alive! It’s never that!”

Justin suddenly approached the bed and leaned forward, only inches away from Mikey’s face. Mikey began to cough, a jug of water next to the bed was within reach so Justin grabbed it and a plastic cup next to it, pouring the jug into the cup and aided Mikey in having a drink of water. All the while Mikey Stormrage never opened his eyes.

“Because Flex will blame it on the referee,” Justin chuckled. “He’ll blame the stipulation when he should be blaming himself. He should be thankful that I have given him the chance to share the main event with me. I have put this company on my back, Mikey. I have done everything they have asked of me and all I want in return is recognition. I want what is owed, I want my place in the Hall of Fame and if beating Flex gives me than so be it. He doesn’t stand a chance. He and I are different. We are fighting for different things. He steps into the ring to fight simply for the World Championship and to many that is life itself but to me, I’m fighting for legacy. I’m fighting for what he and all the others could only dream of fighting for. You see, I’m fighting to be known as what I’ve always said I was, believed I was and will prove I am… and that’s the Greatest!”

Nothing changed for Mikey. He was still and silent as Justin traced his brow with his index finger. It was wet from sweat, Cooper grabbed a towel from the bedside table and patted down Mikey's brow. His face shining with glee at the sight of his fallen foe.

“In twenty four hours Flex will became a distant memory for me. He’ll be defeated, knocked back to the undercard where he belongs and I’ll continue to be the man in WZCW. I’ve already forgotten about Garth. Yet, here I am with you. You draw me back, Mikey. I just can't let you go. I toss and turn at night thinking about you and it drives me insane. Sometimes I think it’s just that my hate is so strong but then I picture your final moments and it makes me sick… that it wasn’t me. I should’ve been the one to break you. I'd have given everything, take the title, take it all if I could have been the one to break that back and put you here. Oh, I’d end this world before I lost the title now but if you told me before I won it, before I felt the leather beneath my fingers, the golden nameplate, the jewels around the sides, if you told me pre-Kingdom Come that I could only have one. I could either win the World Championship or I could break you, leave you unable to walk, I’d gladly give the world to feel that pleasure. A dream unfulfilled much like what Flex will experience tomorrow. His dreams are dead just like your career...

And her. Your mother. She’s dead. When you lay there, filled with painkillers, is it to subdue the pain of your back or the fact that your mother is still dead no matter how many World Championships you win in her name? I want you know that after I finish with Flex, after I retain my World Championship for the third time, I’m going to pay the cemetery a visit. I’m going find your mother’s grave.”

"M-m-m-mother," Mikey mumbled.

Justin put his lips right next to Mikey’s right ear.

“When I find it,” Justin whispered. “I’m going to spit and piss all over her grave because she’s as worthless as her son. I’m going to kick her gravestone over, smash the flowers and anything else I damn well please. The best part? You can’t do anything to stop me. Try, Mikey. I know you can hear me. Wake up! Your mother is dead! She was weak. Pathetic just like her son and every moment that you stay in this hospital is just confirmation that she was failure and her bastard son is every part like her. I’m right here, stop me. Defend your dead mother, Michael.”

"I hate you," Mikey said, unable to sustain consciousness for any longer than a few seconds.

The World Champion shook his head looking a little disappointed. He picked up the World Championship and put it over his shoulder. With an air of arrogance, Justin headed towards the door and threw a look back to Mikey before leaving.

“I’ll ask them to put the show on tomorrow so you can at least listen. I’ll even dedicate my victory to your mother, what was her name again?”

With a vile laugh Justin exited the room and walked down the hallway of the hospital. Meanwhile, back in the room the body of the former World Champion remained still. His eyes shut. The room a mess, fan art torn to pieces… but the most telling thing? A single tear falling from the left eye and running down the cheek of Mikey Stormrage.

 

[FlexAmerican Dynamite]

It had been a very stressful couple days for Flex Mussel. Up until Ascension he was as cool and confident as one could be heading into the biggest match of his career. But in the span of just a few hours things seemingly took a one eighty. Following a loss to Kagura the bodybuilder’s confidence was a bit shaken. She beat him in the same vein she did one year ago, an unsuspecting rollup. The same night it had been brought to Flex’s attention by his upcoming opponent that the Mussel bomb had been banned in his title match by the board of directors. And as the fitness freak stood ringside at a live event after a match he began to wonder if history was destined to repeat itself. Last year he failed to capture the EurAsian championship against a seemingly unbeatable champion and as he looked into the many faces of the fans he started feeling like everything he worked so hard for was slowly disintegrating around him. And those close to him could tell, he even remembers the words his wise mentor Everest told following that night.

Everest: Flex you need to relax!

Flex: Relax?! How am I supposed to relax? I had been undefeated for months and just days before Gold Rush I lose, if I can’t beat Kagura how am I supposed to beat Cooper?

The fitness freak can be seen repeatedly throwing around objects in frustration of everything that occurred on Ascension.

Everest: Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Cooper lose to you just days before winning the World title at Kingdome Come?

Flex: Things are different now, there’s no knee injury, and he’s stacked the deck against me! Did you hear him out there?! I can’t use the Mussel Bomb, I literally can’t use one of my finishers or I’m fired!

Everest: It’s the man that makes the move, not the other way around Flex.

Flex: Spare me from your superficial wisdom Everest. I have too much riding on this match to not care about these important details.

Everest: But are you willing to let these details eat away at you and distract you from what really matters Flex?!

Referee: FLEX! What are you doing? Your match is over! You gotta leave ringside and head backstage.

The nearby ref snapped Flex out of his introspective thinking and flashback but did nothing to convince Flex to leave. The bodybuilder scanned the arena, he saw fans cheer him, he saw fans boo him, he even saw fans clamor for Eve Taylor or Constantine to beat whoever wins at Gold Rush, but it was one specific sign that caught his eye: “Flex Mussel to choke at Gold Rush Two Years in a row!”. And with that Flex grabbed a mic from the ring announcer and dives under the bottom rope and back into the ring. He taps his hand on the top of the mic to make sure it’s working and yells at the ringside crew to turn on the mic. After a few moments he is obliged much to confusion of everyone.

Flex: I know what a lot of you are thinking. You see Flex Mussel in the main event of Gold Rush and you think it’s a fluke. A lot of you think no matter how far I’ve progressed in the last year there’s not a chance in hell I become World champion, I’m good but I’m just not THAT good. Whether you like him or not I know a lot of you would agree with Justin Cooper, that I’m nothing but a placeholder opponent and once I lose I’ll go back to curtain jerking where I belong. Funny enough ever since I became number one contender Cooper and his corporate clones have made sure I’m seen as nothing more than a second rate challenger. Only allowing me to compete on Ascension and usually in the opening match at that. The one thing I’ll give Justin credit for is that he’s good at making people see his own reality. And if you would believe the words that come out of his mouth you see me as someone who can’t even hold his jockstrap. The way he carries himself you would think he’s looking far past me into future opponents. And by the way some of you are looking at me right now you’re hoping someone like Eve Taylor or Constantine is the real hero to save you from Cooper’s reign of terror.

Sporadic Constantine and Eve Taylor chants can be heard throughout the arena but they do not phase Flex at all as he continues despite being motioned by the ref to leave.

Everest: Did I ever tell you I faced Justin Cooper years ago? Albeit he was a much different competitor looking back on it he reminded me a lot of you when I first scouted you for WZCW. He was hungry and looking to make a name for himself, and while I beat him I knew that in the future if he stayed focus he’d achieve much greater heights. And now he has, but not without becoming more vicious, ruthless, and conniving than almost anyone in WZCW history. And while I haven’t approved of a majority of what you’ve done in the last year Flex I’ve seen you go down that same path. You’ve taken Ramparte’s career away from him, you’ve needlessly injured others and have stomped on the fingers of many to get yourself into a World title match. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not but you two have been parallels of each longer than either of you realize.

Flex: Allow me to let you guys in on a little secret: I’m the only one in WZCW who can beat Justin Cooper. Do you wanna know why? It’s because I’m the only one in this company who doesn’t care if anyone thinks I’m legitimate or not. I will stoop to whatever level necessary because winning this World title means so much more to me than whether or not any of you like me, and whether or not anybody in the back thinks I deserve it. Have I back-stabbed my friends? Have I cheated to gain the upperhand on my enemies? You’re damn right, and whether you want to admit or not you know that goes a hell of a lot farther than sucking up to you and pretending you matter.

The crowd starts to fully align against Flex but bodybuilder doesn’t let up at all he continues his beration of the fans.

Flex: You fickle and foolish fans are the reasons why Vis Imperium is in power right now. Cooper pulled the wool over all your eyes and tricked you all until he became World champion. The only difference between us is that I told you all months ago I would lie, cheat, deceive, and do whatever is necessary to win the World championship. All I’ve done is be honest with you, so believe me when I say this, Justin Cooper is scared. Despite the wall of confidence and childish trash talk the thing that terrifies him more than anything is losing that World title. Without it he loses his power, Mr. Banks and the Board of directors are less inclined to help him, and his lackeys are less inclined to believe in someone who can’t keep their word. Justin may talk as if this match is a forgone conclusion but whether he realizes or not this match could make or break him.

Everest: Truth be told Flex watching you do some of things you’ve done lately has sickened me, but somehow you’re still the lesser of two evils in this situation. Maybe I’m bias due to our history but I have only wanted the best for you since you stepped into this company. And while fighting fire with fire isn’t something I would recommend people to do your inability to care about anyone else’s well-being is exactly what has taken you so far.

Flex: If I’m the lesser of two evils how the hell am I still going to stop someone who is so corrupted by success and power?

Maria: Because Cooper surrounds himself with associates, while you’re surrounded by family.

The monsieur of muscle turns around to see his sister Maria, friend and assistant Charles, Ex-lover Svetlana, and drugged out grandfather Max enter the room.

Maria: We’ve all had times where we would’ve rather let you suffer than help you Flex but we’ve stayed by your side because we want you to succeed. You can be a dick but you've done a lot for us, and we just want to return the favor.

Charles: You’ve already done what so many people said you never would, and that’s succeed in WZCW, and now you’ve got a World title match, that’s something no one is ever going to be able to take away from you regardless of what happens. This shouldn’t be a match of desperation Flex it should be your finest hour.

Flex: If I am what you say I am Justin I’m lucky just to be in the main event, why should I stress? Why should I worry about losing? If anybody has any fear it’s you Justin. Imagine losing this early into your title run, right when you’re at your peak, imagine being put in the back of the championship line. Behind the Gold Rush winner, behind one of the many talented and capable wrestlers in the back, behind whoever is going to be holding the KFAD briefcase. Justin you’ve been preaching to the masses that after you beat me I’m going right back to the undercard but let’s be honest, I’m still one of the most talented wrestlers in this company, and while I thought this may have been my one and only World title shot the truth is I’ve still got so much left in my career. But do you?

Svetlana: You’ve come long way Flex, and I wouldn’t be back helping you if I thought you were only going to regress. You’ve got much more ahead in your future, do not let something as minimal as one loss or one stupid rule stop you from completing your destiny.

Everest: You’ve outlasted a lot of people in this company Flex, with the amount of talent you have ascending to the top of the mountain was bound to happen.

Flex: Cooper until Kingdom Come your career was met with a lot of start and stop success. Short Mayhem title reigns and forgettable Elite championship wins plagued you as many thought you were just another guy, good but not great. And for years you clamored for the validation, you kicked yelled and screamed for people to see you as the very best in WZCW. And now that you’ve gotten it the last thing you want is another reset, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen when I beat you at Gold Rush. We’re a lot more similar than you think Justin, for the last year I’ve been fighting a lot of people not only for success but respect. For them to see me as more than just the guy who was a part of the greatest tag team in history, more than just the guy who has gotten some big wins here and there, I want to be seen as the greatest WZCW has to offer and being World champion validates that for me. It doesn’t matter if you take away my Mussel Bomb I’ll find another way to beat you.

Charles: I’ll be right by your side as always Flex, I want a ringside view when you win.

Maria: And should any of Vis Imperium get involved we'll all be right there to even the score.

Flex: I’ll do whatever it takes because I’ve come too far to just to become another name in your win column.

Flex: You guys really believe in me don’t you?

Everest: We do, the question is are you going to start believing in yourself?

Flex: The last couple of days I’ve stressed myself out because I was living in your reality Justin, but trust me that’s over now. After replaying the words of the people I care about in my head I realize you’re much stronger when there’s more than just you believing in yourself, but others believing in you too. You don’t have that Justin, you just have puppets who need you to win to keep their spot on your coattails. But there’s only so long you can fool the public, and whether you know it or not you’ve been old news for a while now. I know just how good I am, and despite what you say you’re not leagues above me, and I know for a fact I can beat you!

Flex: You’re damn right I believe in myself!!!

Flex: You’ve looked me dead in my eyes Justin, you know how serious I am, you know that I’m coming for you and your hubris will be your downfall, the facade ends at Gold Rush, and my validation will finally come true,because I will finally be the WZCW World Heavyweight champion!!!!

Flex and his comrades all embrace in a hug in the locker room as they continue to try to calm the bodybuilder’s fears.

The monsieur of muscle drops the mic on the ground and finally exits the ring. Most of the crowd continues to boo him but there’s a tiny fraction not sure what to make of his statements. He just continues walking up the ramp paying them no mind, as he knows his time in the limelight is far from over.