AS25: Chris Jones vs. Tucker Graham - Lethal Lottery Qualifier

[Phoenix]

A Lethal Lottery spot is up for grabs as Chris Jones and Tucker Graham will look to put the naysayers to rest and get a chance to compete for the Kingdom Come World Title shot. Who's going to make the step up against their opponent and get into the match?

Deadline is Tuesday 14th December 23:59 EST

 

[ZeroVX]

*camera cuts to backstage as Chris Jones is seen lying on a bench in the locker room, eyes closed and hand over his face, clearly showing his frustration*

Jones: To say things haven't been going well for me for the past while would be an understatement.

*Jones sighs, hand moving off of his face to dangle listlessly off the bench. He stares at the ceiling, seemingly drained of energy*

Jones: Not only did I lose to Jordan "Just-Say-No" Lights, but in doing so, I lost my chance at the Letal Lottery. And I still don't even know what that is! To compound matters further, Wilhelm Wunderbar ran off and left the company before I could deliver my much-deserved revenge. Not that I blame him for quitting, but how dare he leave before I make him want to leave! Where is the fairness in that?!

*Jones sighs, slowly sitting up and turning to face the camera*

Jones: Well, the past is the past, I suppose. Best to focus on what's going to happen. I don't know how or why, but I have another chance at the Lethal Lottery. I'm guessing that's WZCW's way of saying they have some faith in me, but I doubt I have any more chances after this. I'd best get a few things out of the way before focusing on this week's match.

*Jones frowns slightly, glaring at the camera*

Jones: First, to Jordan Lights. I don't know how, but you somehow managed to become even more of a mockery than you were before. You represented everything I hate about people in general. You claimed to serve justice, but in reality, you manipulated it and abused it to serve your own ends. You showed just how quick you were to abandon your efforts when you teamed up with Karzai, and now you're trying out this "straight-edge" bit. I guess the thought process is that since it's the "in-thing" now, you're going to follow it in the hopes of gaining some popularity. Your complete and total lack of conviction only makes the fact that you somehow beat me last week piss me off even more. Rest assured, your little popularity contest will end badly for you.

*Jones sighs, continuing*

Jones: Next, Ferbian. Don't worry, I'll keep this brief. First of all, congratulations on winning the Mayhem Title. I'm sure you have this strange thought that you earned it. Well, I suggest you don't revel in your victory for too long. Lethal Lottery win or not, I will get my title back. So, consider your days as champion officially numbered.

*Jones frowns, hating to have to even acknowledge the next person*

Jones: Finally, my opponent this week, Tucker Graham. It's amazing how I can go from one extreme to the other within a week, and hate both of them equally. If anything, Tucker Graham should take the nickname of the "Ultimate Enabler". "Just do what makes you happy" is his philosophy. Of course, since people like pump themselves full of drugs, or cheat on their spouses, or God knows what else, that doesn't exactly create a positive message, does it? The problem with your thought process, Graham, is that people don't know what makes them happy. They don't have the necessary foresight to see what can truly make them happy in the long run. Instead, they just do what they think will work for the moment, either not knowing about the consequences or not caring. I ask you, do you really want that kind of person to be the norm?

*Jones gets to his feet, looking down at the camera*

Jones: Graham, your sad and abusive lifestyle comes to an end. But I will be following your philosophy a bit. I do plan on doing what makes me happy this week. Decimating weak-minded fools like yourself definitely brings a smile to my face. I am your Savior, and I know what's best for you.

*Jones' typical wide grin spreads across his face as the camera fades to black*

 

[The Bearded One]

The scene opens up and reveals Leon Kensworth driving. He has the radio blaring and he is singing along. Through the window, it reveals that he is driving through an industrial area. It is a sunny day and, according to the windbreaker Kensworth is wearing, cool outside. He is driving around as if he is looking for someone. Just as the chorus hits and he is about to sing his heart out, his cell phone rings, and he turns the radio down and answers it.

Hello?

There is a pause as the person on the other side of the line talks. Kensworth’s expression changes from happiness to horror as all the color rushes from his face.
You’re where? Give me a minute and I’ll be right there. Just don’t do anything stupid!
Kensworth pulls a U-turn in the middle of the street, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic. He zooms through cars as he now knows who he is looking for and knows where to find him. He pulls a sharp right and begins to go over a bridge when he spots Tucker Graham standing on the railing of the bridge, which is hundreds of feet above a river. Kensworth slams on the breaks and jumps out of his car. He runs towards Graham.

Tucker! Tucker! What are-

Graham holds his hand out cutting Kensworth off. He speaks calmly.

Don’t take another step, I’ve made my mind up and it’s all lead to this. Everything I’ve done and everything I am has lead me to this moment and this is something I must do. I have never felt more alive than I do right now, Leon. I have never felt this good before. It’s as if it’s meant for me to do what I’m about to do. I’ve been too selfish for too long Leon, and today that is coming to an end.

Kensworth tries to come closer but once again Graham holds his hand up.

Don’t. There is nothing you can do. I have always put my needs in front of the needs of others’. I have always been the one to let every down because of my behavior and that ends today. It is time for the ultimate action of selfishness. Take a good long look because this is the last time you’ll ever see the self-centered, attention-craving Tucker Graham.

Graham closes his eyes and spreads his arms as if he is being crucified for the sins he has committed. Kensworth looks on in horror as Graham begins to lean back. He tries to run forward to stop Graham, but it is too late and graham disappears behind the bridge. Kensworth drops to his knees in disbelief. He then hears a scream from under the bridge and he musters up the courage to look over the side.

He looks down and discovers that Graham is not only still alive, but is laughing and screaming.

Woohoo! Yeeeeaaaaah!

That is when Kensworth notices the bungee cord attached around Graham’s feet. Graham reaches the bottom of his descent and bounces up just before touching the water’s surface. Kensworth faints from all the changes of emotions he’s had over the past few minutes. When wakes back up, Graham is is standing over him, looking concerned.

Oh thank God. I thought you were dead.

Kensworth looks around for a moment before jumping up and trying to push Graham, who is holding him back.

HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? WHAT WERE YOU-

Calm down! Calm down! Leon, Leon calm down!

Kensworth realizes he has no chance of taking Graham down, so he stops, but he is still visually upset. He sits on the railing of the bridge Graham joins him.

I’m sorry, Leon. I really am. But I think this bungee cord is a perfect analogy for life. There are ups and downs in life. And I’ve been really down the last few weeks. I was not only unable to win back the titles, but I was embarrassed by Wasabi Toyota. I have never been to such a low point in my life. I was at the bottom of my descent and there was nowhere to go but up, but nothing was changing until…

He trails off for a second.

Until?

Well, I did some soul searching and I realized I was an awful person. I mean I was just a terrible human being. I put myself before others and it didn’t bother me in the slightest. I was perfectly happy in living my life the way I wanted without a care in the world about how it affected other people. And that alone lead to Reckless Youth falling apart. So lately, I’ve been trying to be more selfless. I’ve been trying to put the needs of others’ ahead of my own, and my life has become 1,000 times better.

So things begin looking up, but I’m still way down on my bungee jump, if you know what I mean. And this is when I appreciated everything that I had. Before, I had the world and I didn’t care. Then it was all taken from me and I appreciated everything I had. As they say, you don’t know what you go until it’s gone. Well, I didn’t know how good I had it until it was gone. My irresponsible behavior caused it all to go away, so when I reach those heights again, I will be able to appreciate it. I will be able to be happy with what I have instead of trying to use it to gratify my selfish needs. And I will be able to share this experience with my fans, because I now know what they go through on a daily basis.

What do you mean?

Graham shifts his weight on the railing and pauses as he tries to find the right words.

I grew up privileged. We weren’t rich, but we were never hurting for money, you know. So I never valued anything and took it all for granted. But then when I hit rock bottom and lost everything, it made me realize that people actually have problems. I now understand life isn’t all about partying and getting drunk. No, there is actually some suffering in life, and I can now appreciate that. Now, everything I do is for my fans. I will climb back up the ladder to give them hope. They will see that it is possible to come back from what seems like insurmountable depths. I have taken it upon myself to take the hopes of millions on my back and show them that there is good in this world and that everyone can succeed, they just have to put their minds to it and they can accomplish whatever they want.

Well, this week your climb can begin as you have a Lethal Lottery qualifying match against Chris Jones.

Graham nods his head.

Getting a qualifying match is where my life has really returned to where it was before, only better. Lethal Lottery gives me the chance to become the WZCW World Champion. That would be the ultimate sign of hope I could give my fans. But it will not be easy.

Chris Jones is a great wrestler. He debuted in WZCW not too long before I did and has had a successful run here so far and is a former Mayhem Champion. Although he is coming off a loss to Jordan Lights, that can only motivate him to not lose this one as well. I’ve always thought it was more dangerous to wrestle someone coming off a loss than a win because they have something to prove. So this match won’t be easy, but nothing in life is. But like everything in life, anything is possible.

Graham clears his throat and looks out over the river. He gazes for a moment, taking in the scenery, before speaking again.

And I think now actually is the best time for Jones and I to have our first match because our careers have taken similar paths. He has been down lately as well. He was never able to get back at Wunderbar, and you know with someone as proud as Jones is, that has to be eating him alive. He lost his first Lethal Lottery qualifying match, but now he is getting a second chance, much like me.

But he may be too concerned with winning back the Mayhem Championship. Jones, you told Ferbian you’ll win that title Lethal Lottery or not. Well, unless you take me a little more seriously, it will be without Lethal Lottery. I’m going to wrestle this match like I never have before. I’m going to lay it all on the line. I am not taking this career for granted anymore. I have the hopes and dreams of millions of people on my shoulders, and we’re not going to be stopped. Chris Jones, I’m sorry to say it, but you’re nothing more than the first rung on the ladder to greatness. They say the first step is the hardest, which might be true, but I, along with the millions of believers, will be able to overcome anything. I will move onto Lethal Lottery and prove to the world that anything is possible. I will prove to everyone that while there are hardships in life, they are only temporary and that life gets better.

Graham stands up and stretches.

I really am sorry about earlier Leon. The jump just added to the analogy. I thought you would’ve noticed the cord attached to my ankles.

Kensworth stands up and begins walking to his car and motions Graham to join him.

Yeah, I wasn’t really paying attention to details, you know. I was more concerned with the safety of a friend. But let’s put that behind us and grab some lunch.

The two of them get into Kensworth’s car and drive off as the scene fades to black.