Meltdown 27 - Rush vs Corey Payne

[Harthan]

Corey Payne makes his singles debut against one of WZCW's hottest rising stars, Rush.

RP deadline is August 24 at 11:59 PM.

 

[The Prototype]

(The scene is the parking lot outside of the Tyson James Training Facility. A camera crew is following WZCW Interviewer Becky Serra, who is looking for “Prototype” Corey Payne. Seconds later, Payne, his trainer Tyson James, and a few of his sparring partners leave the building and head towards a black SUV. Serra walks up to Payne and begins the interview.)

Serra: Hi Corey. I’m Becky Serra from WZCW. Can you spare a few minutes for an interview?

Payne: (smiling) Sure! (Turns to his buddies) Wait for me in the car. (His buddies leave) What do you want to ask me?

Serra: My first question is how does it feel to have a WZCW contract?

Payne: It feels awesome. I set a goal and didn’t let anything get in my way and I achieved it. Tyson was so happy that I didn’t have to train during the weekend. So I went out and partied for the first time in a while. There is time for training and time for celebrating. Today is a day of celebration. I actually was about to go out now. But tomorrow I’m gonna work out harder than ever. You need a balance sometimes. By the way, I have a question for you Becky. Do you know who I’m facing? I know I’m on Meltdown, but they didn’t tell me who I’m facing.

Serra: You have a tough time ahead of you at Meltdown Corey. You will be facing one of the hottest superstars in WZCW, Rush.

Payne: (thinks for a minute) I understand why Bateman put us in a match against each other. We are very much alike. We are both big, powerful, intense wrestlers who have goals and will not let up until we achieve that goal. Then we move on to something else and do the same thing. Rush is a very good wrestler. His offense is brutal and he is very athletic for his size. I bet a lot of people think that he will mop the floor with me.

(Glaring at the camera) But never underestimate me. I am in the best shape of my life. My knee is finally healing up from when I was attacked a few years back, but that’s another story for another day. The point is that I am unstoppable. Rush, I respect all that you have done. But you need to understand something. I am a very dangerous man. Just because I respect you doesn’t mean I won’t take you out. At Meltdown, Rush will just be the start of a long road. I will beat him. After that, my journey will start and I will get my revenge and my destiny will be fulfilled. I will become the best in the sport. (Turns to Becky) Anything else?

Serra: No I think that covers it for today.

Payne: Nice to meet you Becky. (Extends his hand in friendship)

Serra: (Shakes Payne’s hand) You too. (Waves as Payne walks away) Bye!

Payne: (Heads to car) Bye!

(Camera fades to black)

 

[Muffin Top Merkley]

Rush is walking down the street happily signing a few autographs, stopping only to pose for the odd picture for a group of WZCW fans who are happy to see one of the hottest WZCW’s stars today. As he is posing for one particular photo, he sees something that catches his eye across the street. He tries to ignore it. He begins to sign another autograph but gets distracted half way though and focuses his attention back across the road.

RUSH: Sorry everyone. That’s all the autographs for now. I got some super double top secret WZCW business to take care off. Have a good day everyone.

Rush quickly looks for oncoming traffic before briskly making his way illegally across the road. He stops in front of the door to an old brick building on the corner. The windows tinted with a near solid coating of dust. Muffled noise escapes from minor cracks in the window. Rush looks above the door and re-reads the rugged, aged sign. Its paint has been cracked, but the words are unmistakable to Rush’s eyes.

TYSON JAMES TRAINING FACILITY
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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”​

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Rush opens the door and enters the building. He pauses once on the other side of the door. He pauses to survey the scene. Solid original wood flooring, that hasn’t been repaired or refinished at all during its life. Two separate rings in the center of the room. 1, a boxing ring, the other, an MMA styled octagon. Both held together by numerous rolls of duct tape. In the far corner of the room, some miscellaneous odds and ends of old weight sets. A man half way though his reps doing bench presses while a spotter observes and coaches. In another corner of the room, Rush sees a number of boxing bags of many different shapes and sizes covered in rips and lumps from years and years of abuse.

Wow. Rush says barely audible as he continues to look around.

RUSH: Excuse me? He calls to a group of three men leaving the change room. One makes his way over as the other two continue on to begin their workout.

MAN: Can I help you sir?

RUSH: Yes. Is this by chance the gym that Mr. Corey Payne works out in?

MAN: Yes sir. For about 24 years now. His uncle owns the place. Want me to get him for you?

RUSH: Uh, no thanks. I just saw the place and thought I’d stop by and take a look inside. Thanks a lot though.

MAN: No worries. He replied as he headed to join his friends for the day’s workout routine.

Rush began to walk around the room. Posters barely sticking to the wall, but all challenging each and every person in the gym to ‘Always Push Hardest for the Last One.’ and reminding them that ‘Without Victory, There Is No Survival.”

One wall in particular grabbed Rush’s attention. He slowed made his way towards it, careful not to disturb anyone. As he got closer, he realizes what he was looking at.

A paper banner had been hung with pride. “THE FINEST”. Below it, a dozen sun-dyed autographed photo of men from different eras. All who, at one point in their loves, trained at this gym and eventually reached a status of greatness that many others never would attain. The first was a black and white photo of boxing legend Jim Dempsey. Rush silently moved from picture to picture, silently noting all of those who had paved the way for those who have come after them.

Rush approached the final picture on the wall and smiled. A brand new picture, the only one free of any sign of dust, had been hung. A smiling “The Prototype” Corey Payne stared back at Rush.

RUSH: The Prototype is one of the finest eh? Rush looked at the picture for a little bit longer before removing it from the wall.

RUSH: Not yet Corey. If you beat me at Meltdown, I’ll let you put this back up, but as of right now, only thing could beat me at is politeness. I respect what you did with your MMA career Corey, but this is my ring now and it’s a whole new element for you. I don’t care that you are in the best shape of your life. That’s expected when you step into ring and try to derail my path to destiny. You are going to need a lot more than anything that you have to beat me.

I’m a 14 year veteran at this sport. This will be your first match. This week on Meltdown, I’ll make sure you pay your dues and respect the business like I do. I’ll be making sure you work for every inch. I’ll be teaching you a lesson when our paths cross. You will feel the rush!

Rush turns around and begins to make his way towards the door he entered. He walks uninterrupted despite carrying the picture he stole from the wall. As he reaches the door, he carefully places the picture in a nearby garbage can, before exiting the gym and returning outside.