AS65: Grand Mystique vs. Derek Jacobs

[Viola Moonlight]

A grudge embroidered in hate and spawned from a former alliance. Derek Jacobs was only a sacrifice to Grand Mystique, but now he returns as a problem in The Sacrificial Altar's bigger plan. Will the mercenary cement his status against his former leader or his hand always for hire; even if it means selling his soul? One can only assume that the team of Strikeforce will be watching this match closely.


Deadline is Tuesday, June 11th 2013, at 11:59 P.M. (Central Time Zone)​

 

[Kermit]

Derek Jacobs has received a 24hr extension.

 

[a0161613]

It all started so well.

As of right now and for the foreseeable future Strikeforce have no interest in the tag team titles and are officially withdrawing from the tag division.

Their end was near.

Where were we? Oh yeah. Kingdom Come, Strikeforce vs The Sacrificial Altar. Your stipulations, your rules. You guys are in control, and we’re going to beat the living hell out of you.

The plan was coming together until...

Mystique elevates Ricky high above his head, looking for something devastating, but Runn desperately counters and slides down with an arm drag! Mystique rolls to the other side of the ring and gets up quickly, but Runn has caught a breath and goes right after Mystique with kicks to the bigger man's legs.

Connor: An impressive start from Grand Mystique who could nearly have put Runn away, but Ricky Runn always seem to be able to pull out a counter when he needs one.

Cohen: The unluckiest man in professional wrestling isn't likely to get much luckier tonight, though. Mystique has over a hundred pounds on the kid! Counter or no counter, his luck will run out.

Mystique brutishly forces Runn off of him with a shove that sends Ricky into the ropes, but Runn rebounds, leaps, and hits a hurricanrana! Runn pulls Mystique back to his feet quickly and kicks him in the leg once more, then lightning fast hits a snapmare, then nails Mystique with a dropkick to the face! Runn retreats to a corner, waits for Mystique to get up, Runn charges, Mystique counters and elevates Runn, but Runn lands on his feet on the ring apron! Mystique turns and tries to kick him off, but Runn leaps and hits an enzuigiri from the outside! Mystique stumbles back and Runn springboards over the ropes, nailing a crossbody! Mystique has had enough and he rolls out of the ring to catch his breath. Runn looks for him and finds him quickly, backs up, charges, FLIES THROUGH THE ROPES AND WIPES OUT GRAND MYSTIQUE! The two men go down in a mess, Mystique colliding with the announcer's table and Runn looks like he might have caught his head on the table as well. Both men are down and not stirring.

Connor: Ultimate high risk for Ricky Runn, and if he can just get back into the ring he might have this one.

Cohen: High risk is right! I could have been hurt! He could have spilled my diet Mountain Dew! You know I love the taste of diet Dew!

Both men remains down as the referee starts the count. 1......2.....Runn lifts an arm weakly but is getting nowhere....3......4.....Runn rolls off of Mystique's body but that seems to be all he can muster, Mystique weakly moves his head.....5.......6.......

Runn tries to get his knees but just can't get up, collapses once more.....7.....he tries to clutch at the ring apron, catches hold of the WZCW banner........8...........Runn holds onto the banner, pulls himself to his knees.........9..............Runn has a hand on the ring! He tries to summon the strength -



10!

Runn is still on the outside and he collapses as he hears the bell ring. Mystique is still down in front of the ring announcers table.

Anderson: The referee has ruled this match a double countout - therefore, a draw!

The world went dark. I wonder if this is how it felt to be the victim. Ricky Runn. James Howard. Steamboat Ricky. They had all been to this place. The world spins around, this is beyond pain.

“You thought you were invincible to this. Right?”

I wonder they had heard anything as interesting as this but realise that their simple minds probably cannot comprehend beyond the here and now. They do not embrace their past and believe that the future is something that can be handed to them. Suddenly he was more than just a voice. He was familiar. Family.

“Nice guys finish last but bastards are destined to get their asses kicked. You’re f**ked bro. You have a huge bulls-eye and they are coming for you. They want to drop you on your face and snap your bones just like you have done to them. It will come back and bite you in the ass in the worse way.”

The voice was instantly recognizable. The face is blurry but I know who it was.

“You speak from experience. You think your chase of Constantine and Burna puts you on a pedestal?”

“I have an idea of how much Strikeforce would love to put you in their position a few months back.”

“They have no idea. That is not their destiny.”

“Destiny is made to be broken.”

The mind is capable of bizarre tricks but I was not to be fooled.

“I’m not going to concern myself with the words of a man who broke himself trying to reach the hearts and minds of people who forgot about him the second he went off their TV screens. The same man who ****ed himself around the wrestling business, threw hissy fits and never achieved what he could have. Your destiny is nothing but a trail of your blood, broken promises and unfulfilled dreams.”

“Unfulfilled dreams? You know I know a doctor who could help you with those deep psychological issues of yours.”

“This is typical of you Austin.”

“Little brother. You are looking to reach beyond what you are capable of. You picked on Strikeforce, a dominant tag team at the peak of their powers.”

“Small fry. Incapable little men who are not better than me on their own or as a team; I destroyed them and finally they took some notice. I’ve beaten Showtime, Triple X, Titus. I am the forgotten, uncrowned champion. I am a shadow. But before and after, I will be remembered as the man who single-handed brought about the end of Strikeforce because that name has a semblance of meaning for the idiots who cheer them. I should be a hero. I am a hero to the right people.”

Family arguments; It’s been a while. It’s the same dispute four years later.

“Yeah your plans for world domination through hero worship. That’s going well.”

“We could dominate this company and in time, that will be our goal and we will surpass the expectations of everyone else. We will sacrifice everyone in our path and WZCW will be burnt in our image.”

“Maybe you need to mould those under your control first.”

“I have respect from my peers Austin, through pain or devotion. You wish you could say the same. If there is any bitterness that stalks us it is because we are superior, not because we overachieved and outstayed our welcome.”

“Your faith is ridiculous.”

“Your lack of faith is astounding to us.”

...And then silence.... Confusion and barely identifiable voices, DC, Mason and The Grand Mystique.

“Us my liege?”

“What?”

“You OK?”

“Where....where....”

“Let’s get out of here.”

.............

“Gentlemen, this will be a short evening. No pleasantries, it is time for us to come together.”

Even in this darkened room, it is not difficult to see how cynical DC is. Once again this is not surroundings that he is comfortable in and he paces around like he is in a hurry to be somewhere else.

“Mason, you have made the Altar proud. You have made the ultimate sacrifices and you will continue to reap the rewards. I now ask that you align your strength with his raw ability. Show the world what is missing from their lives. Take your embrace of sacrifice and reveal to our brethren a hint of what he is capable of.”

Mason slowly lowers his head in a bowing motion. DC shakes his head, attempting to stifle a laugh. That causes Mason to look up and DC wrinkles his face to the former pastor.

“DC.” The curt address makes the Rated X superstar take notice. “You have abandoned your popularity and demonstrated some willingness to embrace our cause. That rejection is good. Your sins are the reason why you lost against james Howard because they still weigh you down. Against Strikeforce I expect to see sacrifice. Indulge Mason and he will show you exactly why sacrifice is why ours is a superior cause. Continue to reject the influence imposed on you by the leeches that surround you and embrace what we offer. It will be the best thing that you will ever do.”

DC’s reaction is non-existent. He stops pacing before taking a seat without saying a word.

“With Kingdom Come, it is time to seize our destiny. It cannot wait any longer. You two should know what is expected of you by now. Just like Derek Jacobs, the end is near. Our victories, and I do expect you to win, must be convincing. Drain all hope from their beating hearts and be ready for Kingdom Come which will be our crowning glory.”

“Derek Jacobs will not survive to reach. I will rip apart his facade of bravery and spirit and when he has nothing left, he will be a part of our ultimate sacrifice.”

GM slumps against a wall; his normally regal behaviour abandoned for the moment.

“My liege, are you OK?”

“My condition is not paramount right now.” He looks up respectfully to Mason. “For the greater good, we must ensure that no stone is left unturned to achieve our higher goal. I will lead us to glory through Jacobs and what is left of Strikeforce.”

Mason and DC eye each other cautiously once more. As their attention is held between each other, GM smiles weakly; he finally feels a bond encircling his group.

 

[Beastmode 24]

He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man.

Samuel Johnson​

Backstage at Ascension 64

Derek Jacobs feels like he is dying.

These are the last seconds of my life.

His heart is beating out of his chest.

I'm about to die here on this locker room floor, scared and alone.

He is broken, he has failed. Mason Westhoff was victorious, and he is still alone.

Strikeforce doesn't trust him, and no one else believes him either.

My life is over.

Derek Jacobs lies in his locker room floor, panting for breath as trainers and EMT's try to figure out what has happened to him.

Two days later

Regions Hospital, St Paul, Minnesota

For the last 48 hours, Derek Jacobs has been poked, prodded, tested,watched, observed, and everything else that could be done to him to figure out what happened backstage at Ascension. After 2 days of medical hell, he is about to be released by his doctor, but the doctor has requested to speak with Derek first.

Dr: Good Morning, Derek. I'm Dr. Joshua Scott. The reason I wanted to speak with you this morning is because even though your physical tests all came back normal, I think you need further evaluation by a psychological specialist.

Derek doesn't look too pleased at the diagnosis.

Derek: Wait a minute, so you're telling me I need to see another shrink? The last one didn't exactly work out, you know.

Dr. Scott: I am aware that the last time you saw a psychiatrist there were some complications, but I feel as if this is a much needed step. You're physically healthy as a horse, but mentally, well the easiest way to describe your mental faculties right now is unstable at best.

Derek stands up and towers over the Dr. He leans in close, his hands slam into the Dr’s desk.

Derek: You're goddamn right I'm unstable! I've been beaten and left for dead, my best friend dies before I have the chance to reconcile with him, the only two people I trust don't trust me, and to top it off I lose a match to the man that I need to beat the most. How would you feel if you had dreams every night of your best friend lying cold and dead in a casket and there was nothing you could do about it?! How would you feel if your world was crumbling apart and you could just sit and watch?


Dr. Scott: So tell me Derek, how long have you been having these nightmares?

Derek: I've been having nightmares for about the last 3 months, but over the last couple of nights they've been getting worse. Losing to Mason Westhoff has really messed with my head.

Dr. Scott: Does what he said to you during the match have anything to do with the severity of these nightmares?

Derek can still hear Mason Weshoff's words in his mind, and even in his soul.

Weakling. That's why your friend died. You lack faith.

Derek: How...how did you know what Mason said?

Dr. Scott: Come on, Derek. You don't think I'm a WZCW fan? I watch every episode.

Derek: Mason said that I lack faith. He said that the reason James died was because I was weak. He said that this was all my fault. The nightmares are all the same. I see James lying in his casket, I reach in to touch him, and when I pull my hand back, there's blood covering it.

Dr. Scott: So your nightmares deal with your best friend dying. That is something that we look for in victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Derek, I think that you're suffering from PTSD, and your friend dying has worsened your condition. Obviously, I’m not a psychiatrist, but I think it’s imperative that you see one as quickly as possible

Derek is taken aback by the Dr's diagnosis.

Derek: PTSD? I thought only Soldiers that come back from war have that. Does that mean that I can't wrestle again?

Dr. Scott: Anyone that has ever had some sort of traumatic event happen in their lives, whether it be Soldiers in battle to a horrible car accident can be diagnosed with PTSD. Compound that with the Traumatic Brain Injury you received back in February from those chair shots, and I think it's a pretty good bet that you have it. As far as wrestling again, I would say that you're chances of competing are good, as long as you keep yourself in check.

Derek: So I'm good to go for competition then? I can wrestle?

Derek has a small smile on his face. Maybe things are looking up after all

Dr. Scott: You can compete this week. You’re physically cleared, but Derek as a fan of yours I have to ask you to seek help for your psychiatric problems. I’m concerned that if you don’t seek help, you’ll snap. And nothing good will come out of that.

Derek stretches his hand out to the Doctor. The look he has in his eyes is solemn.

Derek: I give you my word, I'll seek help for this. Thank you for everything, Dr.

The two men shake hands, and Derek leaves the office.

Backstage at Meltdown 90

Derek sits backstage at Meltdown, preparing for his match against the Grand Mystique. As he sits down to put on his boots, one of his favorite songs comes on his iPod. "Bat Country" by Avenged Sevenfold. As Derek listens to the words of the song, he begins to write a letter to James' wife, Allison.


Caught here in a fiery blaze
Won't lose my will to stay...

Allison,

Words cannot express how much you, James and the kids have meant to me over the last 5 years. You've been like a mother to me, and Britney and Alex have been like a brother and sister. You've welcomed me into your home with open arms, and I'll never be able to repay you for that, but the reason I'm writing you hurts me to the core.

Everything that I own that's still at your place sell. I can no longer be in contact with you and the kids.

I'm preparing myself for war, Allison. The Sacrificial Altar prey on people's weaknesses, and if they would do something to hurt you or the kids, I could never forgive myself.

I will beat The Sacrificial Altar, I will destroy them piece by piece, and I will find myself again. I promised James I would, and I will.

But we can never speak again.

This is the price I'm willing to pay to destroy something I helped build.

I'm going to punish everyone who has done me wrong, and it starts with them.

Derek

As Derek is finishing his letter, there is a knock on his door. He opens it, and on the other side stands Leon Kensworth. The two men shake hands as Kensworth enters the room.

Leon: It's good to see you standing on your feet again, Derek. You scared the crap out of everyone at Ascension.

Derek Smiles and pats Leon on the back

Derek: I'm glad to be standing on my feet again. You want an interview about my match? I'm assuming that's why you're here.

Leon nods his head and waves the camera man in. As the camera man sets up, Leon and Derek continue small talk until the signal is given that the interview is ready to go.

Leon: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm standing here with Derek Jacobs, who is moments away from going one on one with another man whom he once stood side by side with in the Grand Mystique. The question on everyone's mind, though, is what is up with you and Strikeforce?

Derek stares into the camera, eyes cold. His voice is slow, articulating every word. It's as if he's speaking directly to The Sacrificial Altar.

Derek: There's an old saying, Leon. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." You see, there's no love lost between Strikeforce and Derek Jacobs. I'm just as guilty for what's happened to them as Mystique and Westhoff are. The only difference is I know I'll be punished for it. But before that happens, I'm going to hold them accountable for their sins as well. If Mikey Stormrage and James Howard think they can stop TSA without me, they're dead wrong. They need me just as much as I need them.

Leon: What are your thoughts about your match tonight? You couldn't pull out the win last week against Westhoff and many people don't think you can beat Mystique, who has been on a roll lately. What do you have to say to the people out there who think that this is a lost cause?

Derek: No, I didn't beat Westhoff last week. I lost the match 1-2-3, in the middle of the ring. A loss is a loss Leon, but even though I lost the battle, the war is far from over. They say that a man backed into a corner is at his most dangerous, and that's where I am now. I have no allies, no friends, no family. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this fight. I made a promise to someone very important to me that I would destroy TSA, and that's what I plan to do. This is total war, and I won't stop until either they're gone from WZCW, or I am. To my last breath.

Derek smiles an evil smile before saying his last words.

Derek: Bank on that.