Were witnessing Meltdown 73 from an unusual angle as
Big Dave gets Chris K.O. up onto his shoulders ready for the Stamp of Authority, the intensity burning into his eyes and a grin appears on his face as his arch-rival Steven Holmes has appeared, this is his time to send the final message to Holmes. Kingdom Come only waits so near, but concern draws across his face as Holmes just smirks back. Chris K.O. leaps off his back and turns him around, hitting an unclean Butterfly Effect.
Barbosa brings Dave to his feet before unleashing the Mood Stabilizer. Dave begins to fall flat onto his face, but Barbosa catches him and drops him down with the Doppelgänger!
K.O. makes the cover.
1...2...
3...
Harrys: Here is your winner...AND THE NEW WZCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION; BARBOSA!
Everything is distorted and disorientated, Dave climbs back up, using the turnbuckle for leverage, then reality strikes back as he spots the handcuff on his wrist, with the other attached to the turnbuckle. He looks worried, fear has entered his eyes for the first time.
Constantine signals at Holmes to discuss strategy, something the referee looks to stop. He steps between the two elitists, but his back is turned to Holmes, thus allowing him to slip a concealed object into Constantines palm. The referee takes no notice as Holmes backs off.
History feels like its repeating itself for Dave, the memories are rushing back, during a time where he was on top of the world, when he was champion.
Copeland: I dont like the looks of this at all.
Dipping into his trouser pocket, Holmes pulls something shiny out, he recognises that shine.
Dave turns around, but is met with a stunning right hand from John Constantine, the brass knuckles from earlier playing a role in their effectiveness for sure.
Escape feels impossible, but it must happen. It must, there must be a way out. Holmes puts his fingers into the brass knuckles and the grin is scary, Dave has run out of time. Holmes makes the swing and it misses his head, but there is a strong sting. Dave winches from the feeling of skin being peeled off inch by inch. And then theres another strike.
Holmes and Constantine turn their attention to Dave who is now starting to stir somewhat. Constantine blasts Dave with a second brass knuckles shot. This time cutting the champion open.
And the frustration appears in Holmes eyes before landing a third and brutal strike, Dave feels his face is slowly losing any distinct sign of humanity, he is being destroyed.
Copeland: Where are the officials? The other wrestlers? Why does no one stop this?...
...DAMMIT STOP IT!
Holmes now has Dave in the Aristocracy Reigns. The blood of Dave flows freely and openly, turning Holmes fingers a crimson colour.
He only feels like a shell, his soul is being destroyed, he has nothing to keep him up but his restraints until Holmes holds him up in a sarcastic form of pity, Dave cant see this anymore because he is no longer conscious. All he sees are the memories, the fall from grace.
At All or Nothing, Dave begins walking down the ramp but suddenly the cheers turn to boos as Steven Holmes and John Constantine attack Big Dave from behind! Dave is sent sprawling down the ramp as Holmes and Constantine pounce on their prey. Constantine positions Dave, lifting him up and with assistance from Holmes, delivers a spiked piledriver, dropping Dave neck first onto the entrance ramp!
Another strike brings him back to the present and the remaining strikes give him pain in short moments of consciousness, the blood has consumed him, Dave is no longer a human, but a corpse. The last thing he remembers is the look of the possessed man who continues to strike. Olympus feels so far away when the Underworld is ready to greet him.
Medics have places Dave on a stretcher, gently securing a neck brace on Big Dave before rolling him up the ramp. The crowd claps as Big Dave remains motionless on the ramp, his eyes open however.
Dave is taken out on a stretcher during the commercial break, Constantine stopped Holmes from finishing him off, but it seemed too late. Dave doesnt even know how it stopped, everything was black to him, as his face was crimson red to the audience.
Dave lies in a hospital bed with breathing apparatus attached, his face is completely bandaged up as a heart monitor beats away. A
familiar voice of concern is distant to him.
Whats his condition Doctor?
Well Miss. Bail, your brother seems to be suffering from a comatose kind of status, possibly from the shock of the brutality he suffered from the attack, he should be in a stable condition in a few days, I would give it a week for him being able to leave on his own accord.
And his face?
The damage done is extreme, we can stitch up the scars but they will be permanent. I could recommend plastic surgery, but that will take a few months...
He doesnt have a few months Doctor, hes competing in a match at WZCWs most important event! We need something more instant!
Miss. Bail, Im afraid there is no way Im allowing your brother to compete, regardless of the event.
But Doctor, this is against the man who did this to him. To deny him the opportunity to extract revenge is making you just as responsible as he is. You must find a way!
Ill think of something, but my concern is that if he goes into surgery, he will need to protect his scars. If recovery is affected, then the damage done may even be irreversible.
You must find a way...
...you must find a way to get back at Steven Holmes! He cost you the title and your rematch!
Dani continues to pace back and forth as Dave sits in a hospital bed with a neckbrace on and a large plaster on his forehead.
I would if I could Dani, but Ty has officially placed me under medical leave, unless the doctors give me clearance on my neck, then I cant go near any WZCW arena as a competitor.
Thats ridiculous, he cant do that!
Apparently he can, Im officially exiled from the company. I cant get near Holmes and before you suggest taking it to his home, Ty has added that I will be suspended without pay if I go near him until Im a competitor again. Im powerless to do anything!
Im going to talk it over with the doctors!
Dani paces out of the ward room.
Dani!
Dani...
A few days had passed and Dani cant hold her joy at her brothers return to recovery. She embraces him as best possible without hurting him.
Im here. Youre in the hospital, youve been here for the past five days.
FIVE DAYS?! I have to get out of here. Even though I cant see, I have to get out of here!
He tried to unravel the bandages around his head, but his sister stops him. The
doctor enters the room.
Ah, I just heard the news! Welcome back David. Thats two good pieces of news, that youve recovered and that the surgery was a success.
Surgery?
Now David, can you tell us what you last remember...
What surgery? He turns not directly but towards Danis direction.
Dani, what surgery?!
Dave, try to remain calm, but Doctor Fitzgerald had to reconstruct your face as best he could after what Steven Holmes...
Dave falls back into his pillow.
Can I still compete at Kingdom Come?
Dani holds Daves hand in a caring way.
Yes!
Yes, youve made an exceptional recovery, but I cannot allow you to compete until 1st March at the earliest.
Dave and Dani are sitting at the doctors desk, hes in deep thought while she looks frustrated.
But thats a while to go!
Its perfect.
Danis shocked at his response and stares directly at him.
What?
He turns back to her.
Its perfect, the Lethal Lottery is on the 4th.
Great, then we can show it to Ty.
I dont want him to know, get Bateman on the line. We need to sort this out as privately as possible. I dont want Ty, Holmes or anyone to know Im returning. Just us and Bateman.
A few days have passed and Vance Bateman is sitting in Daves lounge with him on the sofa and the siblings on separate arm chairs opposite to him.
I was glad to hear the call and of your availability. Truth be told, I was worried you wouldnt be coming back.
This catches Dani and Dave off guard, they look at each other in confusion.
What do you mean Vance?
Word was going around that you just wanted to sit out your contract, use the injury as an excuse to leave the company.
But why would I want to do that?
Its an old school trick, and given youre a fan of the old school, I wouldnt have put it past you.
But Vance, Dave cares about this company, he wants to set things right the moment he gets back.
Its that simple? Is it?
What are you talking about?
Havent you been watching the shows or looking at WZCW.com?
No, Ive been in recovery.
As you know, Ty took over Meltdown just before All or Nothing. Now the Apostles are running amok over the company and it looks like theyre going for total wipe-out. It will start with getting the World Heavyweight Championship around Tys waist.
But wouldnt Ty be interested in making Barbosa join the Apostles?
That little matter doesnt change things. And Im surprised you didnt know what happened at All or Nothing what with your injury.
Dave raises his hands in disbelief as a gesture for Bateman to fill the void.
Titus won the World Heavyweight Championship.
Thats good, then it means the title is in safe hands.
It is, but with Steven Kurtesy.
Wait, what?
Kurtesy won it the following Meltdown.
Dave looks surprised at how much has taken place since he taken out of the arena on a stretcher.
Ok Vance, theres two things in mind. One, to return at Lethal Lottery. Two, to get revenge on Steven Holmes. Kurtesy can handle Ty...
Im sorry Dave, but Im planning on launching an offensive against Ty. I want this company to be restored to order and the only that can be done is to take it back by force. I need a team to get it done and I want you there.
No Bateman, its Holmes or theres no return!
You know, fighting on Team WZCW doesnt seem so bad after all of this. Can you give Bateman a call?
Dani smirks but it shortly turns to a look of sadness, but its interrupted by Doctor Fitzgerald returning to them.
So David, you understand the conditions that you must adhere to if I am to sign you off and clear you for this match.
Yes Doctor. Is it time?
The doctor looks concerned but smirks.
Yes.
Then lets get to it.
Doctor Fitzgerald moves in closer as the nurse brings a tray with scissors and other accessories.
You must understand, the scars may take a while to relax down.
Im prepared.
Doctor Fitzgerald is handed some scissors and starts to unravel the bandages around Daves head. The clouds outside the window have darkened with some heavy rain, the strikes of lightning dont faze anyone and neither does the thunder that rumbles in the background. The doctor is starting to get to the end of the bandages, Dani is staring at the opposite wall, not sure what to expect, but knows it wont be pretty. The Doctor removes the final bandages and then silence falls. Danis eyes trail to look over at the sight of her brother, and she is stunned as well.
Mirror...
There is no response.
The mirror!
Dave then lunges forward and grabs the mirror, sits back and stares at the face staring at him, lightning strikes again before a large roar of anger screams from his lungs that not even the thunder can mute.
During his last interview before Meltdown 73, Dave can only take a few deep breaths while avoiding eye contact with anyone before shooting a very intimidating look at Stacey that catches her off guard as she can see the rage burning in his eyes.
Because simply put, nothing else matters! I dont care about this war, I dont care about Ty, and I dont care about the World Heavyweight Championship! All I give a damn about is to take Steven Holmes and beat him within an inch of his life, knowing that I can equally end his career as he attempted to end mine. All that Holmes has reminded me that what I do isnt enough, that becoming the World Heavyweight Champion, it may not end at Kingdom Come but it will damn sure be the beginning!
Those were the words last said by Big Dave before he faced Chris K.O. on Meltdown 73 where afterwards, the incident involving Steven Holmes brutally beating him with brass knuckles was witnessed on live television. Big Dave hasnt been seen since, we know hes making a recovery at the hospital and we can confirm he will not be attending the Fan Access event, so we apologise in advanced. Whether he is able to compete at Kingdom Come has yet to be confirmed, but we can only hope to wish Big Dave a speedy recovery.
As
Leon Kensworths words are transmitted to homes across the globe, there is one television that is lit within a windowless room. This room is light by only a single light, showing the television in clear view along with a single table. In front of both some legs of an individual can be seen, leading into the darkness, his face cannot be seen. The creaking of a door is heard, and the man is unfazed. Dani comes in and places a blue box on the table, she steps away as it becomes clear as to who the man is.
Is it ready. Doctor Fitzgerald has given the approval to use this, and placed you as clear to compete providing you wear it.
She moves closer and opens the box, Big Dave eyes the box closely.
It isnt anything like I would have imagined it.
I wouldnt have imagined having to wear this a week ago. Leave me be.
Dani leaves the room without hesitation, the camera moves closer to the box as Dave leans forward, showing more of his torso, but his face is still blocked by the shadows. The camera never shows the contents of the box as it pans around.
You know, after All or Nothing, I thought my life would never reach such a low point, which was true until last week. Steven Holmes, the last two months have been nothing but hell thanks to you. It wasnt enough that you were responsible for my loss of the World Heavyweight Championship, but the fact you tried to end my career, twice, TWICE! A title can be lost and reclaimed at any time, but your involvement helped descend the company into chaos, and for what? For fortune and glory? No, it cant be that, it could never be just that when you tried to end my career two months ago. You were trying to replace me, werent you? Its not enough that I was World Champion, but that I was the top British wrestler in this company, something you were not, you had to go one further. You wanted everyone to forget me, if I was not there, you couldnt be stopped and your ascension to the top wouldnt be stopped by those that tried if they question the man who took out Big Dave?
Daves outline falls back into the chair, you can feel his eyes piercing the camera with intentions.
But you know what Steven? You cant keep me down for long and I will always keep coming back. Whatever the punishment, whatever you threw in my way, I kept coming back. The opportunities lost, the matches interfered, you kept bringing me down and I was intent on taking you to hell with me. You cost me the World Heavyweight Championship, I cost you the Elite X Championship; I eliminate you from the Lethal Lottery, you cost me a King for a Day opportunity. This bloodbath has been taking its toll on the both of us, and theres no limits to what each other would do...
Dave leans forward.
...and then you did the unthinkable...
Dave turns silent, a rage is building up and hes finding it hard to restrain himself, a closed fist comes into the light before sharply pointing back to his face thats still caped in shadow.
YOU TRIED TO END MY LIFE! YOU DID THIS!
Daves rage forces him to stand up, keeping his face out of sight. He takes some sharp deep breaths before he relaxes himself on the chair.
Steven, you took me to a point I never thought would happen, and you may have destroyed everything about me. You have left me scarred to the point that I may not be able to show my face again, I could have quit after Meltdown, letting you win. But I cant do that, I cant let you get away with it. To walk away from it all would be truly to let the company down. I turned down an opportunity to fight on the front lines against Ty Burna because it would be taking the easy way out and letting the true villain of this company get away with murder! During my time away, I sat and heard all the words you said, I sat and could do nothing, and you know Steven? IT KILLED ME! It killed me that I could not get near you when you were walking free and proclaiming yourself as the man to take me out. I couldnt let you do it a second time, and Ive come too far to look back, I would look back at these scars and know you did this and got away with it.
He goes to the table and grabs the box, the camera moves to create a silhouette of Dave holding the box, his lips becoming animated against the light.
Now...the time for reckoning has come. Justice will be served, but in order to do that, I cannot do this as the man you virtually destroyed; I have to become something more.
He takes the item out of the box to reveal a mask, he holds it in such a Hamlet type of way, staring intently into it.
In the dark days of WZCW, the fans need hope. The company ends up tearing itself apart from all the other battles, but this is a war for justice. To know that the company will be safe when the dust has settled, and it will be signed and sealed with your blood. You have taken me beyond my limits to a point where I cannot return. The stage is set, the final battle is upon us and I will not be holding back to take you to a place you have never even thought of. Big Dave is here to stay, but I may not be the same man you knew before.
He looks down and moves the mask closer to his face, lifting it over his head, covering the top half of his head. The camera moves back around towards the light as Dave looks towards it.
Steven Holmes, you have taken a champion and made him mortal, and then you almost took him to the grave. Now its time to experience the power of my wrath, knowing that if you couldnt have finished the job, you better be ready to take my place in the hole you dug for me. I am coming for you, you have wounded and scarred me, and Im still standing, now its all or nothing for the both of us, and I will even use my last breath to end your reign of terror.
The camera moves closer as Dave steps forward and but only his eyes can be seen.
Steven Holmes, prepare to meet your own creation!
The intense stare of his eyes are all that is left to see as the scene fades out.