AS43 - Everest vs. Blade vs. Gordito (Lethal Lottery Qualifier)

[Ty Burna]

A blockbuster match here as three of the top competitors of WZCW will be taking each other on in a Triple Threat match to decide the next Lethal Lottery entrant. Everest has already had his chance at the match and is blessed with another shot, whilst Gordito and Blade are just receiving their first. Will Everest make up for last week's performance by qualifying or will the Triple Threat from last week give Gordito the edge in this match. Or is destiny in favor of Blade and his quest for the World Title?

Deadline is Tuesday, January 24th at 11:59 PM Central Time.​

 

[Ty Burna]

Blade has been granted a 24 hour extension.

 

[michigan]

Backstage at Ascension the camera focuses in on a large maple door with a nameplate engraved with the word Everest on it. Next thing we see is Everest himself come in from behind the camera, kind of nudging his way by, with his bag over one shoulder. He opens the door and motions the camera to follow him in.

He sits the bag on the floor beside the plush couch and puts his coat over the back of the chair before sitting down on the couch himself in front of the big screen television.

He sits silently for a moment before speaking to no one in particular, not even really acknowledging that the camera is in the room.

EVEREST: The Lethal Lottery, a shot at the World Title…..Redemption and validation all in one night. And yet to even get a shot at any of the aforementioned I’ve got to “qualify” by appearing tonight in a qualifying match.

There was a time where Everest didn’t need a qualifying match, hell there was a time Everest didn’t need the Lethal Lottery because he was already in the Main Event.

Not only do I have to qualify, I have to do it on Ascension. Have I fallen so far that I can’t even get a Meltdown gig anymore?

Everest kind of bows his head as he contemplates what he is saying, a moment of silence is followed by Everest continuing his thoughts to no one in particular.

EVEREST: Tonight, Blade and Gordito will stand in opposite corners doing whatever they can to keep me from getting my shot at resurrection and validation. But you know it isn’t there fault they will be standing in that ring with me. Not this time, this time it’s all on me. Losing fights I should have won, falling just short to guys who would never have stood a chance against the man who trained with the best and defeated World Champions in more than 6 different federations. The man who’s won World Titles, International Titles, Tag Team Titles, Mayhem titles and Intercontinental Titles among others.

Blade, he’s a stud, whether it be in his own mind or not, but there is no denying the kid’s talent. He’s been building his career lately on the backs of some pretty impressive showings and Gordito has shown that backing down from elite competition is just not an option for him and honestly I admire him for his perseverance and attitude. Tonight though, for as much as they both have accomplished in the last few months, they are still stuck in that ring fighting for the same thing as I am. All the accolades and big victories that both Blade and Gordito can count to their credit in the past months have pretty much put them in the same situation as Everest.

Everest finally reaches forward to the table and picks up the television remote and turns the set on. Flashes of highlights of Everest’s elite moments. His biggest wins can be seen, shots of him holding World titles above his head as crowds scream his name. Not once do we see Everest getting beat.

EVEREST: It wasn’t that long ago I was hoisting that glistening Gold championship above my head. Since then the likes of Big Dave, Burma and Titus have done the same as I’ve lounged around in the mid card running in place. Fending off an up and comer here, elevating the next would be superstar there and all the time still being the most bankable star this company has ever had.

Tonight I might be the underdog as they say, I may not be the one that the “money’s on” tonight but damn it, I’m going to be the one that earns the coveted spot in the Lethal Lottery. For all you Gordito fans though, don’t worry, somehow I doubt that they will keep him out of the Lottery. There is still money to be made and we all know Bateman won’t leave money on the table.

As for all you Blade fans, the six of you can get together and do the Hokey Pokey for all I care, but what you won’t be doing is seen your guy leave Ascension with a spot in the Lethal Lottery, unless he somehow gets down on all fours and persuades Bateman to insert him into the Lottery.

It’s about time I got off the couch and back into the game so to speak. I’m sick of being seen as the has been and the also ran. I’ve stood toe to toe with Burma and hell I’ve beaten our World Champion straight up.

Tonight I’m going to start my climb back up the proverbial mountain and Blade and Gordito unfortunately will be the first steps in that quest. I think its time to add them to this little highlight package here.

With that Everest clicks the tv off, and as he seems rejuvenated he reaches into his bag and begins to pull out his wrestling gear and set it on the couch. He comes to a bent up and ripped photo, it isn’t visible from where the camera is but Everest stops and stares at it for several moments.

He finally gets up and with his gear in hand he heads off to the bathroom to change, leaving the photo sit on the end table at the end of the couch. As the door closes behind him, the camera slowly zooms in on the roughed up photo

Once the camera refocuses all we can see is a black and white image of a younger Everest, World Championship slung over his left shoulder, standing with his arm around a very fit and well groomed man who is in full Military uniform. The man has the biggest smile you’ve ever seen on his face and Everest is standing there, proud as can be. As the camera begins to fade out the Title belt over his shoulder comes into a bit more focus, showing us that the title is NOT the WZCW title.

Finally the screen fades to black.

 

[DirtyJosé]

Voice: "As you can see, the place is rather well kept."

Gordito stands in a empty and dimly lit room with a rather important looking man of small stature. The man is holding a notebook folded open, with a pen in his hand. He is leading Gordito around the room, and into adjacent rooms on a tour. The walls are empty, and the place is almost entirely empty, with only some small bits of debris and trash scattered here and there. Gordito looks around curiously.

Gordito: "Well, as well kept as a glorified warehouse in downtown Los Angeles can be anyway. How long has it been vacant?"

Broker: "The previous owners were forced into foreclosure in 2007. It has been vacant since that time."

Gordito: "What was it before? What did they use the place for?"

Broker: "I believe it was..."

He checks his notebook quickly.

Broker: "Ah, yes, they had it as a small fashion boutique for 5 years. Before that, it was supply store for the local fashion designers."

Gordito seems happy with the place. He stares at the walls, envisioning what might be. After a few moments, he turns towards the real estate broker.

Gordito: "It's perfect. I'll take it."

Broker: "Ah, excellent sir. We have your information already, I'll just be a moment as I run back to the car to fetch some documents for you."

Gordito: "No worries, baby. I'll be right here. I want to take this moment in."

Broker: "Understandably, sir."

With that, the broker turns and leaves the place rather quickly. Gordito turns to admire what will soon be his property. A few moments after the broker has left the room, he receives a phone call.

Gordito: "Hello? Yeah...yeah, hi Becky. What? Awesome, I'll be catching up with you soon. Just wrapping up some business matters at the moment and then I'll shoot right over. What? Yeah, the place is called the Crazy Hook. It's right on Wilshire. I should be there in 30 minutes or so, long before any cab from LAX can get there. See you soon. Later."

He turns back to admiring the property.

Gordito: "This place...is going to kick so much ass."

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The Crazy Hook is hopping. The Korean food joint is rather large despite how small it looks outside. This evening it is quite full. The tables and booths are all full and covered with Korean dishes and appetizers. Most every table also feature large beer tubes. In the back of this place, we find Gordito waiting patiently for his guest with one of these beer tubes to keep him company. In not much time, Becky Serra makes her way through the crowd to Gordito. Gordito stands up to greet her with a light hug.

Gordito: "Finally, someone other than Klamor."

Serra: "Oh, after last time I think it'll be a while before Klamor accepts another assignment to see you. I don't often see him hold such total animosity for a performer like he does for you."

Gordito: "Yeah, well, I knew it was love at first sight when I met him so long ago. We were meant for each other. But anyway, it's great to see you Becky. Remind me again, what is this for? Where's the camera crew?"

Serra: "No cameras this time. This interview is for WZCW Magazine."

Gordito: "Ah, and I got all prettied up, too."

Serra chuckles.

Gordito: "Oh well. Ok, Ms. Serra...what's on your mind tonight?"

Serra: "Well, first of all, let's go over last week's shows. You came out on top in a Triple Threat against Sean Cruz and Constantine, who's been a bit of a thorn in your side these last few weeks."

Gordito: "Yeah. You know I love my cliches, so let's go with this one: there's no love lost between the two of us. Constantine always manages to pop up one way or another at the worst possible times for me. Of course, it always seems to follow a pattern..."

He holds his left arm out, palm open.

Gordito: "On one hand, he always seems to manage to cost me a match by surprising me at the last second..."

He holds his right arm out, palm open.

Gordito: "And on the other hand, I seems to always come out on top in any match between us. I don't really care for snipers causing me to drop matches, but I'm generally quite happy with that little balance between us."

Serra: "But it has to seem a little different now with The Aristocrat Steven Holmes as his ally. I know there's always been a little friction between you two as well. Where do you see this going in the future?"

Gordito: "Can't say I really blame Holmes for playing the buddy system; seems to suit him better than going it alone. Holmes and Constantine are two of the most shady characters we have around WZCW, and that's saying a lot considering we have a straight up ninja assassin on the roster. They aren't men who do things without reason or without purpose. I've no doubt they have some sort of plan, and how I figure into it remains to be seen."

He takes a chug of his beer, now empty, and then proceeds to refill it from the beer tube as he continues.

Gordito: "So what am I gonna do? Play it dumb, naturally. I'm always expecting someone to turn up like an unlucky penny. Be it Holmes or Constantine or Burna or Baez...I'm just getting used to having things ripped away from me last second for one reason or another. But trying to take this on right now isn't going to help me out. I've got a lot on my plate, in and out of that ring, and so I figure the best thing to do is let them make the next move and react to that. I call it 'Zen and the art of not giving a damn', you know?"

Serra: "And what are these things that are preoccupying your time and mind these days. You've remained an odd figure in WZCW since returning. Why did you move back here to the West Coast? What's drawing you to the City of Lost Angels?"

Gordito: "I needed a change of scenery again. I moved around a lot as a child, and it's kinda stuck in me to change nests every once in a while. Maybe that's why I've taken so easily to WZCW's schedule. I like change. I embrace it. So I figured it was time to be back closer to home, to try my hand at the LA life."

Serra: "And how's that going for you so far?"

Gordito: "Well, I'd say. Actually, when you called me today, I was finishing up picking up a piece of property downtown."

Serra: "Another bar? A West Coast sister to The Sludge Pit?"

Gordito: "No...well, not quite. I want...you're gonna laugh."

Serra: "No I won't. Tell me. I promise."

Gordito: "I...I want to open up an art studio...gallery...thing. An art...thing. I'm not sure what the right name is. I'm kinda new to this. It just seems so cool, like so much fun. I mean, I do want to have a small bar there as well, but nothing like what The Sludge Pit is. I want to have showings, and live events. Maybe like when you go and the artist is like painting and stuff and there's music and drinks and just a really chill vibe? That kinda thing. I want to encourage creativity. And I want to do something new and different, and I can't think of much else that fits that bill than this does. It's my new dream."

Serra: "That sounds very very awesome. Don't be ashamed of that. When do you think it will be opening?"

Gordito: "It'll take a few weeks for the deal to close. Then I have to prep it. Set it up, get some help. Once I have a plan for the opening I'll let you know. It'd be awesome to have you there to cover it."

Serra: "Deal."

Gordito: "Great. So there's that. And one the other side of my big head, I'm thinking ahead to the Lottery."

Serra: "Indeed. Last year you were part of a Triple Threat World Heavyweight Championship match with now-former champions Ty Burna and Barbosa. If you can make it past qualifiers this year, it will be your first time being a part of the Lethal Lottery event match. What are you thoughts on that?"

Gordito: "I'm freakin' excited about it. I love me a good over-the-ropes kinda thing. The chaos, the fury...I thrive on it. I just have to get there, that's all. And looking at my road there starting this week, I can tell it ain't gonna be a walk in the park."

Serra: "Everest and Blade will be in the ring with you on Ascension to determine which of you three with be going on to the Lethal Lottery. You've faced these guys before, with mixed results. What are your expectations this time around?"

Gordito: "I've faced Everest before. I've faced Blade before. I think I've won and lost to each of them in some form or another. I know I've called Blade a mid-card gatekeeper before, and I have to say that he's proven me wrong about that this last year. He's really stepped up his game, and I just have to give him props on that. They call him the best...well, the best in this game is the one holding the World Title, but Blade is looking pretty damn close to being the best these days. And baby, you know that's just how I like 'em."

Serra: "Everest on the other hand has not had as hot of a year."

Gordito: "But I'm not going to let that distract me from the task at hand. If anything, I know that a man on the ropes is a man with nothing to lose. And a man with nothing to lose is as dangerous as they come. Everest is more than a veteran. He's a legend. He is almost peerless here in WZCW. People have counted him out before. People have written him, thinking they've seen the last of him. You know what that reminds me of?"

Serra: "What?"

Gordito: "Current World Heavyweight Champion Titus. We all thought we'd seen the last of him. And then, once he came back, there were the whispers that he wasn't the same. That he'd lost it. You know what, I learned at All or Nothing that he hadn't lost a damn thing. If anything, he's even better now. And I feel the same way about Everest. You can't count guys like that out, or they'll make you eat your words."

Serra: "So, you're telling the WZCW fans out there that you expect big things in this match?"

Gordito: "Damn right I am. These guys know how to perform. These guys know how to fight. And so do I. There is no favorite to win here; each one is a lethal as the next. And that's what it's going to take to go the distance, all the way to the Lottery and then to Kingdom Come. In fact, I'll be so bold as to predict that the winner here will be the one to win the whole shebang."

Serra: "That's bold indeed, Dirty One. I guess we'll find out in time whether you're right or not."

Gordito: "Well, you know me. I'm not afraid to be bold...or foolish. So, come Ascension, I'm going to bring my Sunday best. With opponents like Blade and Everest, I'd be ashamed if I didn't give my all, every last drop."

Serra: "That's what everyone has come to expect from The Dirty One, and it's why they love you. Thanks for everything here. Reach me at the hotel if you need anything. I'm headed back out east tomorrow."

Serra starts to get up when Gordito stops her.

Gordito: "Hey, wait, the Korean Nachos are just about to get here."

As if on cue, a waitress arrives with a plate of nachos. They look almost like traditional nachos, with jalapenos, olives, cheese, and sour cream, but they also have a healthy helping of kim chee on them. Becky seems a little intimidated by them.

Serra: "Korean...nachos?"

Gordito sense her hesitation and smiles.

Gordito: "You know what, never mind. Things are about to get a little ugly around here."

 

[Blade]

Blade wakes up in a groggy daze in his hotel room. The drink with Hammond the previous night had been a bad idea. He claps to activate the lamps. Thank god for five star hotels he thinks. He clutches the cigarette pack beside his bed and slowly takes one out and lighting it up. The smoke inhalation feels like it's shredding the inside of his throat and he lets out a hacking cough before putting out the cigarette in the ashtray. He lies back in bed, disgusted by the smell of sweat and alcohol coming from himself. He rolls out of bed and stumbles to the bathroom and looks in the mirror. Pasty and tired looking, as he expected. Blade makes a mental note to never try and outdrink Hammond ever again. He splashes some cold water on his face, drinks some water from the mini-bar, brushes his teeth and gets dressed. He lights up another cigarette, this one going down a little easier. He opens the curtains and the sun beams in strongly, blinding Blade for a moment. He recovers and walks out onto the balcony and finishes his cigarette before gulping down some fresh air. He leaves his room and walks down the hall to room number 417 and pounds on the door. There's the sound of swearing coming from insside the room and Blade smirks. Seems that Hammond is hungover too. The door opens and Hammond stands in the doorway, looking rough.

What?

Get up. Time to start training.

It's 8 AM... We've had three hours of sleep. Are you fucking crazy?

You started ordering the drinks. This is your fault. Now get yourself dressed and meet me downstairs.

And if I don't?

Blade shakes his head and removes his sunglasses.

Then you don't get any help this week. You're on your own. And with Overlast not having a very high opinion of you, I'd say you'd have a few problems in your qualifying match. I made the schedule, you have to stick to it. I'm going to train despite every fibre of my being screaming for more sleep.

Fine... Just... Just give me ten minutes.

Good. If you and Overlast are going to win this week and take the tag titles and Lethal Lottery, it's up to me to make sure that you don't slack off.

What about Overlast?

We'll deal with him later.

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A few hours later, Blade and Hammond arrive at the arena hosting this weeks shows. They are clearly still suffering with both men wearing sunglasses and hoodies that cover some of their faces. As they walk past some WZCW staff members, a camera man drops a camera, causing a loud clatter to echo through the hall. A look of pain crosses both Blade and Hammond's face before Hammond grabs the camera-man by the throat and pins him to the wall. The camera man looks petrified as Hammond leans closer to him so they're nose to nose.

Don't ever do that again. I will find you and end you.

Blade smirks, somewhat amused by Hammond's reaction. He pats his ally on the shoulder and Hammond lets go. They continue down the hall until they reach the end and turn to a grey door.

This it?

Yep.

Hammond goes to knock on the door but Blade stops him.

We don't need manners for this.

Blade opens the door and they find Mick Overlast working on, benchpressing weights. Before Overlast can react, Hammond strides over to him, grabs the weights out of his hands and throws them to the side with relative ease before standing behind Overlast. Blade saunters over to Overlast and places his back to the wall and slides down it, sitting on the ground. Overlast sits up and looks from Hammond to Blade, looking more irritated than anything else.

Have you morons not gotten the message yet?

Apparently not.

Blade takes out a cigarette and lights it up.

I don't know how you expect me to take your seriously. Especially when you come in here looking and smelling like you spent the night in a dump. I want nothing to do with you.

You know what your problem is, Overlast? You're under some great illusion that you can clean up this company by yourself. That if you came up against the Apostles of Chaos, that you might be able to hold your own. But the truth is, Mick, that you can't do this alone. You cannot qualify for the Lethal Lottery alone, you can't win the tag titles alone and you cannot bring down this dictatorship on your own.

Wanna bet?

Mick, you're not stupid. You know all Scott has to do is not come out during the match. You'll lose to Beckford and Bomb, Hammond simply picks a different partner and you end up watching Lethal Lottery on the couch in your living room.

I don't mind not being in the Lethal Lottery. I'll still be on the card if we lose. You won't.

So it's simple, Mick. You do the smart thing and co-operate with us, join us, and not only will you be in the Lethal Lottery match, you will be a tag team champion. Now doesn't that sound good?

Overlast's expression hasn't changed since the conversation began, but Blade can see the thoughts bouncing around his head, his pride and his logic in a conflict.

Now, we're going to leave you alone until Ascension. But I've just got one more thought for you. In your short time in this company, you've already made plenty of enemies, including Vance Bateman. Why make enemies out of us when we can be very, very powerful allies?

Blade stands up and extends his hand.

What do you say?

Overlast also stands up. He looks Blade in the eye and shakes his head.

I say... Get out.

Blade gives a curt nod and beckons Hammond to follow him before exiting the room. He closes the door behind him and laughs triumphantly for several seconds.

I get it now. I saw the wheels turning in his mind. For a moment, he looked convinced. Is this what it was like with me?

Yeah. It's only a matter of time... Scott?

Yeah?

When you said you didn't mind not being in the Lethal Lottery, you were bluffing, right?

Of course.

Blade smirks as they start walking back down the hall.

You're learning fast...

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Blade sits in his locker room, glass of vodka in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. He has been poring over tapes of his previous matches with Everest and Gordito all afternoon, seeing what went right and what went wrong. There's a knock at the door.

Come in.

Rebecca Serra enters and closes the door behind her. She awkwardly stands at the door for several moment before Blade acknoledges here.

Take a seat, Becky.

She walks over to where Blade is and sits down on a lounge chair beside him. She observes his studying of the tapes for a moment.

Nice to see some old-school traditions never die.

Blade gives a distracted nod, engrossed in the tapes. He rewinds a match featuring Gordito and replays it.

Y'know, an interview usually has two people talking...

Blade takes a long drag from his cigarette and finally averts his gaze from the television for a moment to look at Rebecca.

Becky, you know all about Gordito, don't you?

Yeah, he's cool. Good in the ring, too.

I know that much. But here's the thing; Gordito is also the embodiment of what I'm trying to fight. Sure, he's talented and he works hard. He's gotten further than I have in a shorter amount of time. He's had several world title opportunities in his short career even though he's never really accomplised much. I haven't even had one world title opportunity despite being the greatest EurAsian champion ever, you know that?

Yes. You've mentioned it several times in the last couple of weeks.

Yeah, well, on the road to Kingdom Come, I'm in a challenging mood. My point is, I work as hard as Gordito, I win as much as Gordito and I'm better in the ring than Gordito. He's good, but I'm better. So why does he get world title opportunites and I don't? Because he's the smiley, chilled out fan favourite so the suits give him all the help in the world. The ironic thing is he acts so anti-establishment but that just means that he makes more business and gets even more help from management while I'm left to be a so-called 'midcard gatekeeper'. Well no more. This week, I take out another one of the posterboys and I get into the Lethal Lottery. And trust me when I say, I'm winning that World Title shot for Kingdom Come.

Need I remind you that you have a second opponent?

Blade lets out a heavy sigh and leans backwards in the couch.

It's sad isn't it? Everest just won't give up. Like a wounded animal that won't give up. This is the man that once defined this company and defined this industry and he's now tarnishing the legacy that he helped create. Don't get me wrong, he's still better than most despite being a shell of his former self. But he's just another guy past his best that's still hogging the spotlight. Sometimes it's just more humane to put a wounded animal down. So when I destroy him this week and he fails to get into the Lethal Lottery, I hope he'll realise that he simply can't hang with me and he'll retire.

Blade smirks and puts out his cigarette and drains the last of his vodka from the glass.

Then again, if everyone who couldn't hang with me retired, there'd be no one left.

Blade rewinds the tape to the start and presses play again.