Chicago, IL.
Leon Kensworth, sporting a light blue golf shirt tucked into his beige khakis, is walking through the gates of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Hes scanning the crowd as though looking for someone as families and groups of friends zig and zag past him. Suddenly, a look of recognition crosses his face as he perks up slightly and picks up his pace, cameraman in hot pursuit. A moment later, he reaches a row of benches as Hunter Kravinoff, adorned in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts, tag title belt over his shoulder, and Naomi Bit (her own cameraman in toe), wearing Kravinoffs outfit in her size, the sleeves of the shirt rolled slightly, stand up to great him, Hunter taking his hand and shaking it.
Hunter: Leon! Great to see you!
Leon: Same.
Kensworth looks around briefly before refocusing his attention of Kravinoff.
Wheres Toyota?
Kravinoff smiles warmly.
Hunter: Oh, you know how it is. Naomi and I wanted to wait for you, but he had to see the birds of prey. So, we sent him on his way.
Kravinoff extends his affectionate, thoughtful gaze to Bit.
Hes going to have no trouble sleeping tonight.
They each chuckle softly before turning back to Kensworth.
Leon: Nice outfits.
Hunter: Thanks! Twas my suggestion.
Naomi: No complaints from me. Its good to know people can see me expressing my support for...
She takes a deep breath before dreamily uttering the name of...
...Hunter Kravinoff.
Leon: Well, thats a nice sentiment. But I cant imagine him needing the support now. Hes one half of the WZCW Tag Team Champions. Surely that's helped raise his credibility in the eyes of the people.
Kravinoff hangs his head for a moment as Naomi whispers inaudibly to him, trying to raise his spirits. After a moment, she turns to Kensworth.
Naomi: Well...
Kravinoff raises his head and glares with intensity at Kensworth, who seems startled by the sudden change in the title holders demeanour.
Hunter: Evidently, my credibility is right where it was before Apocalypse.
Leon: What do you mean?
Hunter: What do you mean what do I mean?
Kravinoff holds his intense stare for a moment before taking his title belt off his shoulder and holding it so that its horizontal and facing Kensworth. The champ then points at the belt.
What does that say?
Kensworth looks at it before answering.
Leon: WZCW World Tag Team Champion.
Hunter: Thats right!!
Kravinoffs words were so loud that they caused Kensworth to twitch nervously. Hunter throws the belt back over his shoulder and continues as Bit smiles with attitude at Leon.
Hunter: WZCW World Tag Team Champion. Yet when you just said a moment ago that Im on half of the WZCW Tag Team Champions.
When I rewatched my match from Apocalypse, I noticed Harrys announcing me and Toyota as the new WZCW Tag Team Champions.
Wheres the word World? Wheres the respect for the tag division? Wheres the acknowledgement that me and Toyota are the world champions of tag team wrestling? Why arent we regarded as champions as being in the same echelon as Vengeance?
Kensworth looks flustered at the barrage of fury from Kravinoff.
Leon: Well... Umm...
Naomi: You never noticed the word world in big red letters in the center of the belt before, did you?
Leon: Look... I dont have the kind of power to change how the belts are regarded or what Harrys calls them.
Naomi: Dont worry. Hunts already put calls into upper management to see that he gets the respect he deserves. And if Harrys thinks about calling him anything less than a world champion, Im sure hell be getting an earful, too.
Kravinoff smiles appreciatively at Bit before turning his attention back to Kensworth.
Hunter: But you...
Leon: Me?
Hunter: You... You have a camera and an outlet for me to get a message out. So while you might not have any real power, youre still of some use.
Kensworth glances at the camera before resuming his concentration on Kravinoff, who has turned to face away from Kensworth, staring at an lion enclosure in the distance. Without turning back to the interviewer, Kravinoff begins to speak.
How can they sleep at night?
Kensworth grows befuddled upon hearing Kravinoff's question.
Leon: Pardon?
Bit, staring affectionately at the back of Kravinoff, turns to her cameraman and lets out an audible whisper.
Naomi: Get in front of him. Catch that look in his eyes as he stares at the lions.
The cameraman swings around to look Kravinoff in the face as he continues to wonder out loud.
Hunter: Your bosses, Leon. How can they sleep at night knowing that, well over fifty years after the death of Dr. King, they openly promote institutional segregation?
Kensworth looks absolutely abhorred by the suggestion, as Kravinoff turns to face him.
Leon: Overlooking the oddity in a jungle man knowing about Dr. King, I think you have some explaining to do!
Kravinoff smiles cockily.
Hunter: I suppose. I mean youve been so blinded to it that it doesnt even registered for you. How odd that someone such as myself, a man born and raised in the wild, unfamiliar with humanity, has more humanity than you.
Kensworth shakes his head disapprovingly as Kravinoff continues.
At least... enough humanity to see inequality with unobstructed, clear vision.
You see Kenswroth...
Kravinoff begins to pace, gesturing broadly as he talks with the hand thats not holding the title over his shoulder. Kensworth, Bit, and the cameramen follow him.
...not only are tag team champions not regarded as being equal with singles champions, but the tag division is kept eerily separate from the singles competitors. Sure, we can mingle with the undercard on occasion, but at this point in time, were not given the same mobility to move up the card as a tried and true singles wrestler. On any given day, Blade could find himself wrestling Titus or a newcomer could find himself in a heated encounter with Big Dave. But tag wrestlers best stay put at the bottom, far away from everbody else. Just like the lions or the birds of prey here, we get our own little enclosure and are told to stay put. Comfortable as it is, this animal longs for more. This animal longs to roam freely through the jungle that is WZCW.
Kravinoff stops pacing in order to drink in that notion, and almost immediately as he does so, Kenswroth bumps into him. Hunter turns around and speaks directly to Kensworth.
Do you know why we're kept away from singles wrestlers, Leon?
Kensworth shrugs and makes a sound that indicates hes unsure.
Two reasons. The first: Theyre afraid. Theyre afraid of tag wrestlers and all the skills weve developed having to accommodate a partner and prepare for multiple opponents in every match. Theyre afraid that if we can perform this well as a tag team, than our skill would be compounded tenfold when its one on one, no partners to be consider, only one opponent to target our ire at. And most of all, they realize that in a tag team setting, no singles wrestlers have the skills or the chemistry to be successful at the tag game, and are afraid of being exposed. Quite simply, any true tag team can show up any pairing of singles wrestlers at any time. And in order to prove my point, me and Toyota told management to issue an open challenge to any pair of singles wrestlers who think that they can take the champs. You see, were out to prove why the tag division is the best division in the Z.
Kensworth looks suspiciously at Kravinoff for a moment.
Leon: That belts really gone to your head quickly, hasnt it?
Kravinoff chuckles softly.
Hunter: But the proof is there, Leon. Just look at John Constantines promo at Apocalypse. He mentioned every champion except me and Toyota. The fear is there. Its clear as day. And Constantines right to be afraid. Because wed destroy him. And Austin Reynolds. And Chris Beckford... Showtime... Anyone who stands in our way. If Vengeance and Ty Burna had one more tag match in them, wed gladly take the men at the top of the totem pole and cut them down to size. Well take anyone at any time. From Everest to Baez, we're putting the entire locker room on notice. If USA wants some, even he`s more than welcome to come get some. Anyone. Anytime
Leon: And what's the second reason they supposedly keep you segregated? Fear and...?
Hunter: Arrogance. Nothing more than their own selfish interests and their own excess, out of proportion belief in their own worth. The arrogance of singles wrestlers and people's lack of appreciation for human relationships has created a drought of talent in the tag division that leaves us with no choice but to declare war on the locker room. If management weren't so afraid to stand up to every self-important Tom, Dick, and Harry who thinks they have what it takes to be a singles sensation, tag wrestling might get some respect. But since management won't do anything to solve the problem, me and Toyota have to solve it for them.
Kravinoff looks briefly at Bit who shoots him an approving nod before he turns back to Kensworth.
And you know who really embodies that singles wrestler arrogance?
Leon: I have the strangest feeling youre going to tell me.
Kravinoff grins at Leons quip.
Hunter: Alex Steele. The man gets an indy following and wins a couple of belts in the minor leagues, and now he thinks hes ready to step into the ring with a world traveled veteran like myself. Sure, hes technically sound. But is he ready to step into a man whos been all over the world, adapted to every possible condition, and taken down every kind of bear that the wilderness has to offer? I dont think so. And yet he hasnt turned down managements orders for him to face me on Ascension. He might think his technical ability and internet following make him hot stuff, but fairy tale time is over. Hes not his father.
Leon: I like Alex.
Kravinoff stares patronizingly at Kensworth for a moment before continuing.
Hunter: If I were you, I wouldnt get too attached. When I deflate his ego and expose him as someone whos in over his head, I doubt youll be seeing too much more of him. Its what me and Toyota do. We break spirits. Crashin needed a week to compose himself after losing to us. I was the beginning of the end of John Smith. Max Karzai? You can thank me for that one as well. And I doubt youll be seeing too much of Baker this week.
But Steeles isnt the only spirit Im going to break this week. Tucker Graham, Mr. Smiles and Frivolity himself, decided to step up to the plate and be Alex Steeles tag partner. Why a guy who seems to value his happiness is taking it upon himself to step into the ring with a bona fide survivor man and a mastodon is beyond me. We arent looking to make everyone happy, dude. Were here to win, were here to consummate our tag title reign, and were more than physically capable of establishing our dominence. When Tucker comes through that curtain and down that ramp, hes heading towards an all too certain frown. I wouldnt be surprised if his loss against us is so disheartening that he begs to be released from his contract.
Kensworth and Kravinoff stare silently at each other once more.
Leon: Youre never lost for words, are you?
Kravinoff smiles at him again as Wasabi Toyota walks up to the group, a tear in his eye.
Wasabi: I beat up a bee, but now its stuck in my hand.
Kravinoff chuckles warmly and takes Toyotas hand.
Hunter: Well...
He glances at Kensworth as he takes the stinger out.
...thats what people get when they mess with us, isnt it? Beaten up.
Kravinoff presses his lips to Toyotas wound and begins sucking the poison out as Naomi Bit, looking on intently, starts to get flush in the face, her breathing growing shallow. Upon finishing sucking the poison from Toyota, he looks Kensworth in the eyes one last time, spits at his feet, and walks away with his group in toe.