The arena was rocking with electricity, as the fans waited to see some of their favourite WZCW superstars perform live. For many of the fans in attendance, this would be their first experience of a WZCW live event.
The small arena was about three quarters full. Many members of the audience were still slowly meandering to their seats, snacks and apparel in hand, when all of a sudden the lights cut.
Complete and utter darkness.
A few screams, mostly of excitement and expectation, reverberated around the venue. All of a sudden, on the titantron
A wall of static. The noise, too, was deafening, and the image remained in a grainy state of flux for what seemed like an eternity when in fact, it was a matter of seconds. Eventually it broke; the image became clear, the sound dissipated, all to reveal a garbage can, with flames pouring out of it surrounded by empty darkness. After a while, a face came into focus; revealing
Triple X staring down the lens of a camera.
Have you missed me over Christmas?
CHAPTER 5
PURITY
The crowd roared. Not in adulation or anything resembling that, but in shock; Triple X wasnt announced for this particular show, so to have him appear, even just on the video, was a huge surprise to the live crowd.
Triple X began to laugh.
Youre all so predictable. Show you something you dont expect and even if its something you hate, you scream in delight. Idiots.
And, of course, the boos began to rain down. What made the fan even more irate was the calm tone to Xs voice; he was relaxed, incredibly so, while the fans were practically jumping out of their skins in hatred for the X-Rated Superstar
Ladies and gentleman. Ascension 124 arrives in a matter of days, and at the event you will see many contests, but one in particular I want you to pay special attention to. And that is the one between myself and the man from Keystone. The reigning, defending, record breaking Eurasian Champion Titus Avison.
A cheer went around the arena at the mere mention of the longest reigning Eurasian Champion in history. While Tituss actions for the most part had garnered hatred, the fans had a clear preference between him and the man on the big screen.
Or as I like to refer to him; the man whose skull I caved in with a con-chair-to back on Ascension Anarchy.
Back to boos.
See, whats funny to me is this notion that Titus is the best. That hes the very best this company has ever produced. What is it; two time World Champion? Former Lethal Lottery Winner? Elite X Champion? Along with your Eurasian Championship, youre regarded as one of the most decorated and respected wrestlers to ever step foot inside that ring. Youre the living legend of WZCW.
The fans make a noise of appreciation; not toward X, but towards the words that are concurred with across all of wrestling.
and the most overrated.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Really?
What???
You honestly think that?
Nah, I dont buy that for a second.
David Red Redfield took a swig from his beer bottle, as
Frank reached for a handful of peanuts. The bar they were in was quiet, but with enough of a buzz that X had gone mostly unnoticed by the general public. X smiled, and sat back, finishing his own bottle. Cola, of course.
Well its true. Ive never really seen the appeal, as a fan or as a wrestler.
Hm, a cocky, brash wrestler who thinks hes better than others. Now why does that sound familiar?
Franks comment came with a smile, but Xander still took mild offense.
At least I started as a wrestler. I didnt segway into it as a second choice after acting just because I thought I could give it a go. I started a wrestler and Ill go out a wrestler.
Okay, but even so, hes a Hall of Famer. And look at the matches hes had. Classics against David Cougar, Ty Burna, Everest, Steven Kurtesy, just to name a few. Hes been here since day one and hes arguably turned the Eurasian Championship into the most important title in WZCW right now.
Bullshit.
Nah, he has a point.
No, he doesnt.
Xander, I get it. Frank catches the attention of the bartender, who pops two more sodas and a beer on the counter.
You dont like him. You never have. But he is one of the greatest of all time.
Maybe. But maybe he isnt as great as everyone thinks he is. X takes another drink from his bottle.
A few world titles, some Oscars, a Hall of Fame entry and a few other accolades say otherwise.
I know his accolades.
Well then-
I get it. Triple X smiled, before slamming his bottle down on the counter.
Whether everyone loves or hates him, they respect him. I get that. I also get that none of you have first hand experience with him.
Neither have you.
Not before Anarchy in regards to as an opponent. But oh, weve crossed paths
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
'See, I've heard legends of a man who, way back when I started watching WZCW, was spoken of in such endearing terms. Legends of a man who was considered one of the very best; a linchpin in this business. Legends of a Champion like no other, who on his day could not be beaten. Legends of a man who carried WZCW on his back. And I remember that one day, where I finally laid eyes on a Titus match, and...disappointment. The legends, as they turned out, were nothing more than stories that had out-grown their truth.'
The fans continued their verbal assault, all the while X's grin grew wider.
'Oh trust me, I know this is all heresy to you, but I really don't care. I'm having way too much fun to stop. but you see, for all that expectation falling flat, I finally made my way here. Since then, before last Ascension, Avison and I have only crossed paths once. As partners. Apocalypse 2012
The screen began to go fuzzy again, all of a sudden, morphing into an old recording. Well, what was made to look like an old recording anyway. From 2012, the camera is pointed on the entrance ramp and, to his music, Triple X leads out Titus and Steven Kurtesy to the ring to the delight of the fans.
The image then fades to the end of the match...
APOCALYPSE 2012
Runn rolls over onto his stomach and Titus gets ready to his The Tit Drop. Titus runs towards the ropes and Steamboat trips him when he gets there on the outside. Titus gets to his feet and turns back to Steamboat. The two start yelling at one and other allowing Runn to sneak up behind Titus. He turns Titus around and hits The Ricky Runndown! Runn with the cover. 1... 2... 3!
Harrys: Here are your winners, Celeste Crimson, Steamboat Ricky, and Ricky Runn!
Kurtesy and entered the ring and is tending to his partner. XXX does not look pleased at ringside, disappointed in his teams lose. Kurtesy invites him into the ring, but XXX shakes his head and storms to the back. Celeste, Ricky, and Steven all get Titus up to his feet and shake hands.
The screen returns back to Triple X, looking almost as annoyed as his past self at the end of the contest.
You wanna know why I was that pissed? I realised. I thought to myself before the match; Okay, teaming with Titus. The man himself. Surely working with him Ill see what the whole world means. And
not even close. He lost the match, and had the audacity to shake the hands of his opponents, leaving me to take in the full brunt of the loss.
X chuckled for a moment, briefly looking up, before continuing.
But then, on Ascension Anarchy, I finally got the opportunity to face him. For the first time ever; Titus vs Triple X. And I think to myself maybe...just maybe, this is the time. Maybe this time Ill get it. And what happens? He gets tricked by one of the oldest tricks in the book; I use the rules to my advantage and I take him out. With ease. And once again, he disappoints. Not just me, but every single one of you.
Triple X leans back and reaches for something in the background, disappearing out of sight for a moment. He then returns, lifting one of the steel chairs from their previous match to the camera; one with a huge dent and a blood smear.
Remember this, Avison? Well, probably not, seeing as your brains got half splattered all over it. This right here is the symbol of your mortality, Titus. This is the symbol of how beatable you are.
TI-TUS! TI-TUS! TI-TUS! TI-TUS! TI-TUS
A small pocket of the fans began to chant. Triple X simply smirked at their feeble attempts.
Go ahead. Cheer for him. He needs it. See, Avison, youve been struggling along all this time to remain relevant. To keep your place and not let any new talent rise to the top. So when I come in and I make an example of you, you cant have that. You cant stand it. We all saw it; we all saw you going to Chuck Myles like a little bitch. You couldnt take the fact Id broken you so easily, so you thought youd try to be clever. You thought youd get one up on me.
X drops the chair, and gets in close to the camera.
Pure. Fucking. Rules.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So, this pure rules thing-
Dont get me started.
No, Im just getting my head around it. So, you can only use so many rope breaks?
Three.
And
you can be deducted them for certain things like-
Closed fists; too many of them at any rate. And you have a count of twenty to return to the ring.
Xander and Frank both looked at Red.
What? WZCW isnt the only company to use Pure Rules.
Well
it doesnt seem so hard-
The rules change the very fabric of the match. It isnt like other match types where stipulations are added or removed. Here, the rules are changed. And in the heat of battle it can be difficult to remember what differences you have. If you get hit by a big move had you cant kick out, and you instinctively put your foot on the ropes when youre out of breaks, youre done for. A closed fist too many, youre done for. You get lulled into the false sense of security with the twenty-count and lose your bearings, youre done for.
Okay, I get it. Theres lots of ways to be done for.
The two turned to X, who was being uncharacteristically quiet.
Whats up?
Question for you both; do you guys think Titus has an advantage in this match?
A short pause from both.
Well-
I mean, he has won Pure Rules matches-
Yeah, and one was for his first World Title-
So you guys think he has the edge?
Well
He has an edge. Nothing you cant overcome, but, like you have the psychological advantage with what you did back on last Ascension, he has one here.
X smiled and shook his head.
Keep thinking that.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A MASSIVE cheer went up at the very mention of the stipulation made famous by the Hall of Famer.
X smirked for a second.
You think that Pure Rules, your match as it seems, benefits you? Why; are you afraid when things get violent? Can you not take it? And more to the point, you think I cant beat you in a wrestling match??
X smiled, and looked away from the camera for a moment, before his face became engulfed with rage.
FUCK YOU. You think youre better than me?? Heres the thing; I dont need anything to beat you other than myself. I can use a chair better than anyone else in the world of professional wrestling, but theres something else I can do better too. WRESTLE! I out-fucking-wrestled everyone in Japan, in Mexico, in Europe, all over the god-damn world. Everywhere Ive been. And Ive done the same here; my first night back I retired two of the established roster. Second week, I bested Wren, whos had the one up on you if memory serves. I even pinned the soon-to-be World Champion John Constantine dead centre of that ring. You want me to out-wrestle you, Ill out-god-damn-wrestle you. Ill embarrass you in your own match, and youll know you should never have tried to play fucking games with me.
The crowd had fallen silent, transfixed by Triple Xs rant on the stipulation for the match. X composed himself with a deep breath, before continuing.
I want to show you something.
He leant down for a few seconds, before pulling something into view, placing it on his shoulder; the sight of which actually brought something resembling a cheer from the audience:
the old Eurasian Championship belt.
Titus, youre not the only guy to hold this championship. I did, a few years ago.
The big screen juttered all of a second, taking the audience back to five long years ago.
MELTDOWN 87, 2013
...Rush collapses, Westhoff falling on top of him in a seated cover:
Copeland: What a move by Triple X, but the awkward landing!
1...2...X-RATED TO WESTHOFF! The finisher strikes Westhoff this time and he rolls off of Rush. Both his opponents down, and adrenaline pumping, X flashes a look at the top rope, then to the crowd and finally to his opponents, noting their heads are right next to one another only Westhoff is lying face-front. The crowd roars X on and he sprints as fast as his body will take him over to the corner. He jumps to the top rope, takes a deep breath and leaps backwards for his trademark finisher; The Firefly! The moment seems to pass in slow-motion as the crowd watches Xs death-defying flips and twists in mid-air before ultimately he crashes down on top of not just Rush and not just Westhoff, but both men. There is a moments pause for the move to register, but the crowd cheers like crazy seconds later. They are jumping up and down like mad, delighted with what they have seen, but then it sinks in, X is in position for a cover on top of both men! The referee is in place; 1...2...3! The eruption that follows the third slap is deafening! Harrys has to practically shout over the fans.
HARRYS: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN HERE IS YOUR WINNER AND NEEEEEEEEW EURASIAN CHAMPION; TRIPLE X!
X drags his wounded carcass off of his foes, unsure if its all over, but he looks around to see the referee retrieving the EurAsian Championship. The official, Jurou Akiyama hands X the title whilst holding his hand up high, X crumbles to his knees, emotion overriding his being. He smacks the title several times in recognition of his accomplishment and sheer delight.
The screen returns back to X.
I lost the belt a few Meltdowns later. Nothing on your reign, of course. But do you know why? Because the people wanted to see me defend it. So I did, at their request, and look what happened. Hell, You should know, Titus. You were there at ringside. I'd bet you barely remember...
MELTDOWN 90, 2013
Copeland: It's why we all love Triple X - the non stop excitement that he brings to the action in WZCW!
Cohen: Love it all you want, Seabass, it's high risk versus wrestling -
Titus: If you say wrestling fundamentals one more time, Jack, I'm going to knock you out right now.
Chris releases the hold - only to transition to THE BURNING CRUSADE! X is down in the middle of the ring and he is unresponsive - Morse raises his hand once - it falls! He raises it once more - it falls! He raises it again!
IT FALLS!
K.O. releases the hold as Morse forces him off and the referee immediately begins to check on the unresponsive Triple X!
Harrys: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner....and the NEW WZCW EURASIAN CHAMPION....Chris K.O.!
K.O. gets to his feet unsteadily and Morse is handed the belt from outside. The referee raises his hand and places the championship belt in Chris's other hand as the new champion is breathing heavily, clearly exhausted and his victory only sinking in gradually.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Still, a shot at the Eurasian Championship's pretty sweet, right?
X threw Red a discerning look.
Oh, what did I say now?
Surely a title shot is a good thing? I mean, sure, it isnt the World Championship-
Youre right. It isnt
Well, what is it to you?
A distraction.
Now come on, you dont mean that.
Why? Why dont I? I didnt come back to prove I was the best also-ran; I came back to prove that Triple X is better than anyone, and the Eurasian championship-
-is held, for right or wrong, by a man many consider to be one of the best. So think about it. You beat him, for a second time, and in his own match and THEN you take his championship
skys the limit, son.
Frank may not know a whole bunch about wrestling, but hes spot on.
X sat there for a moment, staring into his now empty bottle. He let go, and took in a deep breath.
Yeah. Yeah, I suppose he is.
So, what are you gonna do?
X took some cash out and presented it to the barman.
Buy you guys a drink for being right. And after that
Xander smiled at the thought that came into his head.
end the Era of Avison.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The image on the screen returned once again to its original host. The X-Rated Superstar stared at his former championship.
If were all honest with ourselves, Titus. Theres only two reasons to win this title. The first is to push yourself to the main event to accomplish bigger and better things. Thats what I tried to do back then. Thats what I will do now. The other reason though
Triple X removed the belt from his shoulder, staring into the centre plate, before throwing it into the flames of the trash bin, throwing up sparks into the air. Such an action drew a huge grasp from the crowd, before more boos began to fall on the screen.
Xander didnt react. Not even with an evil smile.
The other reason, is that youre not good enough to aim higher. And we all know thats the truth with you, Avison. You cant hang anymore, so you lowered yourself down to play with the midcard. Well dont worry, Titus. Ill take that burden off you. Ill relieve you of your championship; not because I want it. As I just proved, I dont. Ill take it, because I can, and I will hold it until I get what I rightfully deserve, and who knows; maybe Ill keep hold of it at that point. Maybe Ill drop it in the trash again. But either way Avison; you wont have it. And without that championship; you are NOTHING.
X lifts his hands up to his face and, for the first time during this video, we see a clear shot of them. Theyre covered in some kind of deep-red fluid. Its wet, running, and Triple X wipes his hands over his face, leaving it covered in the same liquid.
2018? I prefer to call it Year X.
The feed cut out, and for at least a good half a minute the arena lights stayed down. In the darkness however, a faint few screams could be heard. There was a buzz around the rest of the crowd, working out what the noise was for. All of a sudden, the lights came back up, and standing atop the entrance way, covered in crimson, was Triple X. He held his head up high, eyes transfixed to the ring. One by one, the audiences eyes fell on the canvas, where, splattered in red, was one word.
T I T U S
Triple Xs face finally cracked back into a sneer, before lifting both of his blood-red covered middle fingers up to each side of the audience.
All legends die. You can all go to hell with yours.