The solid wood door to one of the WZCW locker rooms begins to open, interrupting a conversation between Max Karzai, Jordan Lights. Beside them, Trevor Steele sits on a chair, his feet raised on another chair watching Meltdown 33 in progress on a small backstage TV. The three men turn towards the direction of the door to see who will enter. A sweat drenched Chris Beckford, and an overly happy Sam Remmington enter the room, moments after his recent match with Rush.
Sam Remmington: Way to go kid! The match went exactly as planned.
Chris Beckford: Thanks Sam, it really couldnt have gone any better. I was able to put myself on the board in EurAsian League, and it doesnt hurt the resume to have a win over a legend.
Max Karzai: Chris! Helluva match out there!
Chris Beckford: Thanks guys. I really appreciated it. I knew I needed a win and I needed it soon if I still wanted to be a contender for a title match at Kingdom Come, I just never really expected it to come from facing Rush.
Trevor Steele: Yeah man, job well done. Its never a walk in the park for anyone when they face Rush, but you managed to have an answer for everything he dished out.
Chris Beckford: Thanks Trevor. Most of my training for this match was just watching as many of Rushs old matches as possible. I guess it was a good think that I wrestled someone with such a deep past in this business. His matches are all over the internet. I learned a lot. I saw what he could do, and tried to have a counter prepared for everything he-.
Chris is cut off as the door opens once again and Rush walks into the room. The room falls into a thunderous silence, as everyone is unsure as to how Rush will react. Rush pauses for a second and quickly scans the rooms knowing that he has been the subject of the conversation. He locks his eyes onto Chris and makes his way over to him, each step more determined than the last. Sam Remmington backs up as the other three wrestlers stand up, prepared to intervene if the situation turns towards the worse.
Rush stands face to face with Chris, their bodies only inches apart. Rushs breath gets heavy as both men stare off. With each passing second, Chris becomes increasingly unsure as to how Rush will react to his recent match but still holds his ground to the bigger man.
Trevor Steele leans forward into the tension as Rushs right hand forms a fist at his side. Trevor watches carefully as the fist slowly rises. As it travels from Rushs side towards Chris, the fingers begin to extend and the hand relaxes. The hand stops between both men.
A silent sigh of relieve emerges from all inside of the room. Chris takes a deep breath of comfort and ease as he extends his hand into Rushs. Max, Jordan and Trevor take a step back as the two former opponents shake hands.
Rush: You did good, kid. Hell of a match.
Rush takes his left hand and gives Chris a well deserved pat on his right shoulder.
Chris Beckford: Uh, Thanks Rush. It was a great experience. I appreciate the opportunity.
Rush: Any time kid. Im telling you, no matter how hard I try, I cant figure out you new bastards in the ring.
All six men begin to share a laugh.
Rush: Seriously. Todays generation of wrestler is more than anything I can figure out. Youre quicker, stronger, more agile, and well rounded than what Im use to facing.
Chris Beckford: Times change I suppose.
Rush: True, the world of headlocks has practically disappeared. Leg drops have become Tit Drops. Full Nelsons have become Stamp of Authorities. Everyone would rather see a 450 splash instead of a bear hug. When was the last time you ever saw a hammerlock? Im telling you boys now, Im a dying breed.
Chris Beckford: You still got what it takes out there. We know it, and the fans know it.
Rush: The fans cheer for the nostalgia, not the wrestler.
Chris Beckford: Thats not true old man. You still out-wrestle many people today.
Rush: Thats another thing I dont get about you young guns. The respect. Respect was out the window years ago. If someone had the talent that you guys have now, the only thing he cared about was that he was paid more than the next guy, and that the beer was cold back at the hotel. Not today. Most of you respect the road you traveled.
Chris Beckford: And those who paved it for us. Guys like you Rush, you still to this day leave all of the blood, sweat, and tears behind. Who do it for the fans more than the money and fame. Its guys like you who put me in the seat years ago, and brought me here today.
Rush: Thanks a lot kid. That means a lot. A lot of people could learn from you. Like that little punk, Big Dave.
If he had as much respect as he does talent, he would hands down be the top man in this company, maybe even in the whole business today. But instead, hes been counting on those around him to get the job done.
This EurAsian League is the first time in Big Daves whole career that he has to go and accomplish something on his own. He rode Ace Davids coattails all the way to tag-team gold, and now they both are depending on Ricky to carry them to the top of the mountain. The problem with that is, there can be only one man sitting in the chair at the top, and I doubt that none of those three will step aside and let another sit in the throne. I know from my past experience, that its only a matter of time before one of them only sees greed and envy through their eyes and will do whatever it takes to eliminate the competition. If it happened between brothers, it will happen to something as thin as the rWo.
Ill give credit where credit is due. And sure, hes been able to get some pretty impressive victories the past couple of weeks. And yes he is currently the league leader, but it has always been just a matter of time before he walked into a challenge that was too much for him. That challenge comes this week.
In my career I have wrestled my share of big matches. I have had more accomplishments than most men dare to dream about in this business, but earning my shot at the EurAsian title holds just as much meaning than anything else I have done. Not because winning this title will prove to the doubters that have always been the more talented brother. Not because it will show the world that I can still hold my own in this wrestling world. Not even because it will by my first touch of gold in WZCW. The sole reason that this match is just as important as any other match
is that I will get to beat respect into Big Dave.
As soon as he emerges from behind the curtain and makes his way into the ring, his own thoughts muted by the fans chanting my name, hes going to realize that the entire rWo will never be as big as I have been..
And despite me being well past my prime, and him living in his right now, when I lift his body above my head, and then send him crashing down towards the mat, hell feel all of the pain and suffering that I have had to overcome for over 46 years in one single Rushing Powerbomb.
And when he hears the referees hand crash to the mat three times, and then my name being declared as the winner, hell know that this old man is much better on his worst day, than he could ever hope to be on his best day.
You earned your point last week Chris. This week, Im going to beat my point out of Big Dave.
