What the hell was that?
Dominic enters Austins dressing room, slamming the door behind him. Austin is nowhere to be seen but its clear from the steam in the room that he is in the shower room next door.
Austin! Get your bitch ass out here you f**k up!
The shower gets turned off and in seconds, The Ratings Winner emerges with a cream towel around his waist. He seems satisfied and certainly unconcerned by the furious friend in front of him.
Why on earth is my best friend in my locker room calling me a f**k up?
You just cost yourself a chance of stepping up to the mark here by getting yourself DQd.
Austin pushes Dominics accusing finger out of his face playfully, clearly not seeing or just not being bothered by it.
I made an impact, a statement, at his expense. Chris Beckford is nothing to me. I didnt lose my opportunity, I created one out of nowhere and look where it has got me.
What the hell are you on?
You cant see it? Ive given the show a boost, the kind that no one else could give. Thanks to me, Chris Beckford now has a reason to exist and be cared about and its going to benefit me!
Austins attitude baffles Dominic, who is visibly puzzled.
So you put a target on your own backside? Nice job chump. Dont you understand that Beckford will be pissed?
No, no, no... I got noticed. The whole roster has been put on notice. If I do this just to get a bit of attention then what I am going to do for a title shot or a chance to spike the ratings even more? Im going to do anything to put the spotlight on myself!
Dominics hands go over his face, masking pure disbelief. He knew all about Austins arrogance but this was something else.
OK I think I see where you are going......I dont agree with it but let me see what I can do for you. I might have to pull a miracle out because I cant see management agreeing with your point of view.
Austin grabs a t-shirt from his pile of clothes.
Trust me Dom. Go to Bateman, explain what I am after and see what they do.
Dominic decided to go and do just that. He made an appointment to meet Vance Bateman, the same man who had booked Austin on Ascension since his debut and went into the meeting, looking to take the man to task.
Yeah that is correct. Austin Reynolds has interested me to the point where I cannot resist what he is able to offer. He is simply an outstanding candidate and absolutely deserves an opportunity. He has shown great desire and even though the Beckford outcome was controversial to some, I saw something he hadnt demonstrated before.
Bateman is the epitome of composure and while he didnt like justifying himself, he was aware of the situation and could understand why the man in front of him would be concerned.
I saw him get DQd because he was frustrated.
Well, I saw fight and desire. He showed me that he wanted the opportunity to show what he can do. Yes he went too far but maybe that was needed to connect with the audience.
Dominic appears a little confused. To him, Bateman seems to be on the same page as Austin.
Austin doesnt care about the audience. And he got DQd because he hasnt coped with failing at Kingdom Come.
Dominic, Ive run Ascension for a long time now and Ive encountered precious few with Austins potential for development. Maybe Kingdom Come was a step too far too soon and an opponent too many but this match will give him the chance to redeem himself. He can show that the DQ result was a taster for Beckford. Do you think Chris will want to get back in the ring with Austin. He got beat pillar to post and probably cant remember the result. I want Austin to go and pin Beckford while putting on a five star performance because that is what he is capable of. You know it and so do I. Austin does too.
Vances smooth talking had Dominic reluctantly convinced. Dominic was not stupid and he knew Austin was capable of getting out of his own fixes. This may make him learn a lesson or two.
Mr Bateman, I think we are on the same page. Book the match for Redemption now. Austin will be going for the Elite X title and make that belt as prestigious as you need it to be and you know what, thats going to be great for ratings.
The men shook hands on it and just like that, the deal was done. Austin Reynolds was on the road to Redemption.
Dominic left the meeting enthused and as optimistic as Austin was when he saw him a couple of days earlier. And he felt confident enough to do arrange something for Austin that every WZCW superstar had done in the past at some point. Austin may not like it but it was weeks overdue and just a matter of business, something else that needed to be crossed off the list.
Dominic picked up his mobile and sent a text to put things in motion.
Fast forward ten days to Ascension and the gorgeous Rebecca Serra is in front of the WZCW cameras backstage.
Im Becky Serra and now Im here with the Ratings Winner Austin Reynolds. He is just about to face Chris Beckford in a match to determine the number one contender for the Elite X title. Austin, I want to kn-
Austin invades Serras personal space and forces her out of the picture.
Get your nose out of my face Serra.
She is visibly and audibly disgusted with his behaviour but her common sense tells her to keep schtum.
But you asked me....
Your segments are dire so I took it upon myself to make them better Austin grabs the camera and pulls it to focus solely on him. And already they have improved tenfold.
Let me get one thing straight first of all; Chris Beckford is a reprobate who has been given this opportunity because it would have been crazy to have given someone with my ability and presence a totally free pass to the Elite X title. I know that it makes perfect business sense to put me in the title picture and allow me to cut my teeth on Ascension before I get to the big stage at Redemption.
Austin smiles a million-dollar grin as he considers last weeks result. Dominic wasnt impressed but Austin got what he wanted out of it.
Chris, I took you apart last week and this week, I am going to do the same; my hand will be raised and you look up at me from the mat, seeing double. Im going to get my title match at Redemption because the Elite X title has been destined for my waist since my debut, which was a match I never lost. The Elite X title and Austin Reynolds is a pairing made in heaven.
The Elite X title, clearly remains a sore subject because Austins tone drowns from dancing merriment to sorrow.
Last week our match meant nothing and you felt the pain of my disappointment. I let millions of people down at Kingdom Come but no one was more gutted than me. This week, there is a lot more on the line and there is no chance of messing this up, because I and the opportunity that I am fighting for are more valuable than Chris Beckford ever will be.
Austin casts a derisory sideways glance at Rebecca, who allows a cursory tsk to pass her lips.
So Beckford, enjoy the limelight while it lasts. Soon, it is going to follow me to Redemption and then the main event. You will not hold the Ratings Winner back because I am on a different plane of existence that is absolute and wholly superior to you, where success breeds success and failure gives incestuous panic.
And if you are lucky, you may just avoid a second trip to the hospital.
He sarcastically places the mic on Rebeccas head and walks off, into the waiting arms of Hayley who was watching and admiring from just off-camera. They walk off, heading to ringside with Austin whispering to her and her giggling.
