Redemption: EurAsian Open Challenge - Ladder Match

[Phoenix]

Originally scheduled to be a rematch over the EurAsian Championship between Blade and Chris Beckford, however Blade decided to take matters into his own hands and break Beckford's leg, meaning he cannot compete. However the EurAsian Championship will still be defended in a Ladder Match as Blade as given out an Open Challenge to anyone willing to step up and take the gold from him, after what happened to Beckford he's feeling pretty confident about the matter.

This match is open to anyone not having a Redemption PPV Match, the winning participant will be randomly selected by draw of the hat and RPs will be voted as per normal means.

Deadline is Tuesday 7th June 23:59 EST

 

[TheKingHustla]

Record: 2-0
Arlo made this pic​

As the camera comes into focus, the view is on the great African King Shabba, dressing in his finest of African robes that have the colors of the motherland on them, black with red and green trim, and the words "Unity, Freedom, Work" in solid gold on the back. He is in a hallway with only two doors, the one he just came through, and a great big double door 100 yards away. The hallway is white and wide, with statues of former African Kings decorated along the path that King Shabba walked. He stopped and turned to face one of them, a statue of a tall, well built man with dredlocks that touched the floor. King Shabba kneeled before the statue and spoke...

"Father, I honor you in all that I do, and I know that you will not agree with some of my decisions, but this is something that I must do. I ask for your forgiveness in advance."

King Shabba then rises, dusts off his robe, and continues to walk down the long hallway. Soon he reaches the grand doors and the two men standing in front of it opens it wide for the King. On the other side of the doors is a meeting room with a large round table filled with fifteen chairs. Only four of those chairs are filled. The people sitting at the table all rise as the King enters. King Shabba walks around the table and proceeds to his seat. On his journey to his seat, he shakes hands with the individuals sitting around the table. First he reaches the Chancellor, who takes his seat. Then he reaches the Chamberlain, and the Grandmaster, who both take their seats. Finally, he stands before his Ambassador, who smiles to the King, before taking his seat. King Shabba sits in his own chair and the meeting begins.

"Sorry for my tardiness but my pilot was late to pick me up."

"Did you fire him?"

"Of course I did. Now what is the meaning of this meeting?"

"My lord, your recent trip to the States of America has been shrouded in mystery. As your ambassador, I think that it would be best to know what this extended trip is for. The peace of our Nation requires It requires what? It should require for the King to be the only one who questions the King! My journey to the United States is my business and my business alone!"

"But, Sire, rumor has it that you are planning a hostile take over of North America, beginning with the United States. I must warn against it, my lord."

"Rumor has it? So now, you listen to rumors over the word of your King? And how can you warn me against anything? I am the supreme ruler!"

King Shabba slams his hand on the table and stands out of his seat. He has a show of frustration on his face as he looks over to his Grandmaster. He then speaks in a dominating tone.

"What do you say, Grandmaster? Do you warn against a hostile take over also?"

"No, my lord. I will follow your every word. If you feel it is neccessary to send me and your troops into America, it shall be done."

King Shabba began to smile a pearly white smile as he returned to his seat.

"Thank you, my good man, but that will not be neccessary. I have my own plan, and I will inform everyone when the time is right."

"But, my wonderful King, why do you have so much hatred toward the American people, your father lovedMy father was a fool to trust those stupid Americans! He would still be here if it wasn't for......"

King Shabba looked away from the table as he gathered himself. He wiped his eyes before turning his head back to the table and changes the subject.

"Chamberlain, how is my family doing?"

"My lord, I have been there every second of every day. Your wife, Queen Amarachi, has been ruling finely in your absence, while your son and daughter, Prince Kato and Princess Nyah are carrying themselves stunningly."

"Please inform my Queen that I am saddened to say that I will not be able to see them this trip, because I have to return just as quick as I arrived, I have a very important arrangement to attend to. I apologize."

"Will do, Sire."

"May I ask what is so important where you can not see your family this trip, Sire?"

"No, The you WZCW, may duh! not!"

The King looked at his chancellor in shock as they not only spoke at the exact same time, but that he would also answer for the King. He rose once again and pointed at his chancellor in anger.

"How dare you speak while I am speaking. And you have the nerve to tell what I have been doing without my permission! How did you know about that anyway!"

"I'm sorry, my lord. Please forgive me. I have been following your career thus far, and am extremely impressed with your performances thus far. I did not mean to spoil any secrets you may have wanted to keep. Please forgive me."

King Shabba grinded his teeth at the chancellor before taking his seat once again.

"What in the hell is the WZCW, my lord?"

King Shabba looks at his ambassador, and then around the table until he returned his focus to his chancellor before asking...

"So, what have you learned thus far?"

"My lord, I have been following the WrestleZone Championship Wrestling for quite some time now. When I realized that you would be competing, it only increased my interest. I watched your debut match against Justin Cooper, where you made short work of him, and I also saw your last match against The Agony."

"And what did you think?"

"I thought that it was a great overall match, but he was dominating you for most of it, my lord. It seemed like you underestimated him, and I thought that maybe you should take this company more serious, because I know you are better than him and should have dominated him from start to finish."

"Yes, just as I thought. It seems like I'll need to prepare for more than thirty minutes because the competition here is better than I thought. I felt as if I could just run through the bottom of this company on my rise to the top but I now know that I must go into every match as if it is against the top of the top."

"And the top of the top would obviously be the King of Darkness, Ty Burna, right my lord?"

"Ty Burna? You mean the World Heavyweight Champion? He is a 'King' too?"

"Yes, my lord, and possibly the greatest king in the company."

"Tis, tis, this place that he is 'king' of, Darkness, it doesn't even exist. He is a fictional king like the rest."

"Of course, King Shabba. Do you think that you could possibly be involved in the open challenge for the EurAsian championship at Redemption?"

"The open challenge? You mean against that Irish Leprechaun Blade? He would do best not to even think about me for this challenge, because he could never defeat me. He has been in this company for who knows how long, and has only established himself as a midcard staple. Given that much time, he should be a main eventer, but that would ask too much for someone so.... limited. With his experience, it has to be some reason why he isn't facing Ty Burna on a regular bases. If I have to dismantle him on my way up the mountain top, then so be it. But I don't know if he would ever accept an open challenge from me, because he would lose a championship that he has worked so hard to keep. One he cherishes so much... even though it is essentially nearly irrelevant. His legacy depends on winning championships, but mine..."

He pauses so that he could stand up once again, this time opening up his robe to show his chiseled abdomen and posed with his arms in the air. He then looked around at the members sitting at the table as they marveled in the greatness of their King. He then smiled once more continued,

"Mine depends not on championships, wins, or loses, but that I dominate, and rule the WZCW!"

He closes his robe and returns to his seat before being interupted once again by his ambassador

"So this is your plan? Take over a company in order to have a foothold to rage a war from?"

"You, my friend, needs to realize that you do not know what I have in mind for this company, or if I even want to rage war with the States. You need to stop assuming these things. People might start getting the wrong idea."

"But, Sire, I know your hatred for Americans runs deep, but if your father was hereBut he is not here! And he will never return to us! Stop comparing me to my father! His only weakness was his downfall, and I refuse to allow it to be the end of me! Now get the hell out of MY NATION! AND NEVER RETURN!"

The ambassador... ex-ambassador, looks on in shock after hearing the words that poured out of the mouth of the king. He did not know what to do, so he did the only thing he could do at the moment, which was sit in the chair with his mouth agap. The King rose yet again, and looked down at his former ambassador and gave a mean growl before snapping his fingers to summon the two men who were standing outside the large doors.

"Get this filth out of my sight! And make sure that he never re-enters this great nation ever again!"

The two men drag the man out of the room. The camera pans out to a full view of the metting room as the King of Zimbabwe stands tall as the large doors shut on the camera before it fades to black.

 

[Find'er Woo'er Ryder]

A few minutes after their match on Acscension, Paradyse Cruz are seen walking in the back. They walk toward their locker room but are interupted by a familiar duo in the Brothers In Arms. Both teams stare at eachother eye to eye. After a few moments, Toyota and Hammond extend their hands. Paradyse Cruz look hesitant at first but then shake the tag team champions hands.. Brothers In Arms then walk off without saying a word. With a confused look on their face, they walk into their locker room. The two men sit down on a bench and begin to unlace their boots when Vince Bateman bursts into the room.

Tough loss guys, but from what I seen a few moments ago, you earned BIA respect. But anyway there is a reason why I'm here. Blade took out Chris Beckford and he won't be back in time for Redemption and Blade is issuing and open challenge for his EurAsian championship to anyone not already on the match card.

Armando gets a big smile on his face, as does Sean, but his fades away as he sees how happy Armando is.

So gentleman, be prepared and good luck if you decide to enter.

He exits the room. Armando turns around and gazes into the mirror, picturing himself with the EurAsian title around his waist.

Well, looks like the end of Paradyse Cruz....

What do you mean Sean? Are you giving up on winning the tag titles?

no, but what if one of us wins the title off of Blade? We will be to busy defending that title and leave the other one in the dust.

That won't happen. I love you Sean...no homo....you are like my best friend, senor. And if one of us does win, then we have the chance to be a double champion.

I do like the sound of that. Are we still going to train together this week?

Not this week. Singles match and I think it would easier if we did some training alone. But after Redemption, win or loss, we will still be a team.

Armando shakes Sean's hand as he walks out the door of their locker room. The camera fades out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The camera cuts back in with Armando sitting on the back porch of his beach house in Florida. He is drinking red wine, watching the sunset, and talking to someone on the phone.

Senor Beckford, how are you feeling?

I'm still in the hospital Armando. The Doc says i may never wrestle again.

Senor, I'm sorry. I know how much you liked wrestling, but Blade will get his one day.

That's kind of why I called you. During our short time together in WZCW, we had a match and I think that you have what it takes to beat him. he is good buy you are the man who is one hundred percent man!

So you are saying you want me to answer his challenge?

No. I'm saying I want you answer his challenge and win. Climb that ladder and grab the title. I have faith in you Armando. You can do it.

Senor, just because you asked me to, and I consider you a friend, I will do it.

Thanks. By the way, be careful. Blade is a very dangerous man. And he loves using ladder's and is not afraid to use them as a weapon. Take care and I will be watching Redemption. Good luck.

Armando hangs up the phone and drinks the rest of his wine. He takes a deep breath as the camera fades out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The camera comes back on the day of Redemption. Armando is in the ring, staring at the empty arena.

Redemption. This is what I promised to Chris. Redemption against his rival Blade. I have something to prove. Not just to myself but to my fans. I never won a singles match here in WZCW except the match I won to get my contract and against a man I consider a friend now Chris Beckford. Tonight, Blade's challenge is a ladder match.

He rolls under the ropes and take out a ladder and slides it into the ring. He sets it up and climbs onto the first step.

Like I was saying, this match is a ladder match, which is why I'm climbing this ladder. It's how you win but it is also how you can end you're career.

He climbs a few more steps.

Blade, you are a coward. You shouldn't be champion. You don't deserve the honor and privelage that comes with that title you wear so proudly.

He climbs to the top and stand all the way up, nearly 15 feet in the air.

Blade, I'm going to beat the living hell out of you. And I'm going to climb to the top of this very ladder and I will look at you're lifeless body. Then I'll leap towards the heavans and nail you with the biggest Paradyse Senton. You don't have a chance son. Blade, I will end you're career just like you ended Chris Beckfords. I will have Redemption!

He gazes into the camera showing an intense side of Armando as the camera fades to black.

 

[Gelgarin]

Book of the Dragon​

~ Chapter Three – The Turn of a Dime ~​

In the rich pantheon of existence all forces are set in opposition: Love and Hate, Life and Death, War and Peace, Good and Evil. However; across the grand spectrum of existence there is perhaps no animosity greater than that between Fate and the nameless force that we shall simply call The Lady. Good and Evil, War and Peace all have their followers, but only Fate and The Lady will lay claim to the same man at the same moment.

As the world turns about its access; as mountains rise and kingdoms fall, as lives are extinguished and burn aflame anew people will always declare “It must have been Fate”. Yet when the rock slips underfoot, when the barbarians cross the border torching all in their path, when a child is born or a loved one dies, it is to the Lady that people secretly look.

Fear not reader, I have not descended into some turgid swamp of pantheistic worship. My days of conversing with spirits are long since past, but the battles between Fate and The Lady keep coming back to me tonight. The reason is simple, but the explanation for the reason requires us to travel back a little way, just a week, to where I first laid eyes on Blade.

I was skulking behind the bleachers awaiting my deconstruction of Masters (a not unworthy footnote who is not relevant to my story), nicotine princess calming my nerves. It is years since I fought in an environment like this, and at such times visions of cages can be relied upon to return to my head, and the sounds of distress echo in my ears. All at once however the screams of pain ceased to be confined to my skull.

Gazing out through the bleachers I saw a wounded animal fighting against the odds. In the wild a wounded animal will most likely turn and flee from conflict, but when caged as this one was they fight with commendable ferocity. I watched the man in the ring overcome his crippled limb and fight off his adversary, only to be set upon by a vulture. A vulture I now know to be named Blade.

I was able to stand by and watch as the black-feathered Blade swooped down and beset the carcass of his enemy. I watched as he picked at scraps as the creature writhed in pain. I watched as he took a weapon (A weapon; to fight a wounded, unarmed man) and proceeded to hammer away at the body, raining down blows one after another. Finally I watched as the vulture turned its attention to the wounded limb, savaging it beyond all repair. Then the vulture sealed its destiny, it threw back its head and laughed.

Blade will soon learn that I find no fault with brutality, when the time comes I will inflict all that I have witnessed and more upon him, but one may not take joy in such action. Laughter was your error Blade, and it shall be your undoing, for now you have drawn the attention of The Dragon. The fires of judgement wait for you Blade; you are a cold hearted monster, a vile fiend and a coward. You lack honour, compassion or remorse. You have been judged and been found to be criminal, and where there is crime there must also be punishment. Blade, you ended another man’s career, for no other reason than because you could. Blade, you set the wheel of destiny in motion, and it is rolling towards you.

Put simply Blade: you sealed your own fate. And Fate, as you know, cannot be cheated.

All that is left to protect Blade is The Lady, and she is a fickle friend. Reader; come Redemption the vulture must defend his gaudy trinket and face off against a random adversary. His fate hangs upon the cast of a die, and should the die land wrong he will face the wrath of The Dragon. Blade’s destiny has been decided, but the details of the story of his demise have yet to be written, and hang in the hands of chance. Blade; you must hope that fortune favours you that night, though she is known to have little time for cowards.

Blade; you are beyond redemption, and when the time comes I am going to break you. Rest assured Blade that I do not covert your belt. Such trinkets hold little value to me. Perhaps it is a prize to be claimed in passing, but I desire a fare rarer trophy: your destruction. Blade; I will take your limbs and twist them until I hear the tearing of exposed cartilage. I will rain blows down upon your unresisting body until all motion ceases. I will pick at your living carcass until it becomes your living corpse, until your future is extinguished. I will leave you crippled, lying in a pool of your own blood… but I will not throw back my head and laugh. I will walk calmly away, satisfied in a job well done.

This is not a boast, promise or premonition. This is a simply statement of truth. Before the pages of this text conclude, Blade will have been made to suffer in accordance with his sins. The Dragon is awake and it is tracking its target. When I find you Blade; that is simply a matter of chance.

Blade; find The Lady, before I find you.

 

[The Best]

Ale is seen walking backstage after his match on Ascension 32, as he walks past many workers, both wrestlers and backstage talent, once he gets to Vance Bateman’s office, he stops.

It’s not even worth it.

Ale continues to walk backstage until an anonymous man walks up behind him, and taps on his shoulder.

You got screwed, don’t worry, those to punks are done at redemption.

Ale, doesn’t even turn around to see who it is, just pushes the man off.

You’re right, they are punks.

Ale quickly goes into his locker room to pick up his black hoodie and his keys, and starts to walk out of the arena.

As Ale walks outside, he is greeted by a wave of fans that start to laugh and boo at him.

You can’t wrestle! You can’t wrestle! You can’t wrestle!

Ale ignores it, until a fan try’s to throw a water bottle at him, Ale than angrily walks over to the fan.

You try to throw a water bottle at me?

Before the fan can respond Ale starts to go off.

Look at me, I’m 7 foot 1, 400 pounds, and make millions of dollars wrestling. Now let’s look at you, you’re maybe 5 foot 10, 160 pounds, bald, look like you’re in your mid 40’s, single I’m guessing, and wearing an Armando Paradyse t-shirt, I bet you wish that you were one of his little senoritas now don’t you.

Ale than steps back and looks around.

All of you, all of you are weak minded losers. Look at me, now look at yourself.

Ale turns around, and takes a random drink from a fan, and spills it on another fan, than throws the bottle at a different one.

Remember that, you’re all just the fools that are putting money in my account.

Ale than quickly gets into his car, and then drives away.
-----------------------------
It is now the next morning, and Ale is seen driving home from the airport to his house. He arrives at his house, and walks up the outside step only to see a post-it note, it reads:

Don’t worry about the loss, I booked you your next match, keep going through your house to find out clues about it, also there will be note cards telling you were to go next, after you’ve gone through all of the rooms in your house, you will find out who I am.

What the……. What is this?

Suddenly he looks down, and right next to his right foot, there is another folded up post-it note, he opens it up, and it reads:

Just do it, you start out with the front porch.

Ale walks into the porch very slowly, and sees another post-it note on one of his white chairs, it read:

You’re going to need a backpack for this, look under the chair. Living room is up next.

Spoiler

Okay, I’ll play along.

Ale picks up the bag and dashes into the living room to find post-it note on top of a little toy. Ale picks up the note, it reads:
Here’s object number one, dining room up next.

Spoiler

Ale picks up the small object, and places it inside of his bag.

Dining room…….Dining room.

Ale walks into the dining room, and sitting right next to a candle, he sees another post –it note, before he reads it he sees a peculiar look object on the other side of the candle. The note reads:

That odd object behind the candle surprise you? I recommend you open it up. Kitchen next.

Ale picks up the object, which he just figured out is a poster, he opens it up.

Spoiler

Wow, no way, okay I’ll play along now.

Ale walks into the kitchen slightly grinning, as he sees another post-it note hanging up on the refrigerator, he opens it up; it reads:

You like that last clue? Well if you think you’re sharp enough you’ll figure out this one. Look in the cabinet where you usually keep your silverware. Also, basement next.

Ale reaches his arm up to open up the cabinet, only to see one object in the cabinet.

Spoiler

Ale puts the object into his bag as he starts to walk down the stairs into the basement. Before he’s all the way down, he hears footsteps above him, but instead of doing anything, he ignores them. As he gets all the way downstairs, he finds that the lights are on, and that the next note is under the light switch. He takes it, opens it up, and reads:

You’re downstairs bathroom is next. You’re present here in the basement though is on your computer desk.

Ale walks over to the computer and sees a sheet of paper laying face down on his laptop; he picks up, and flips over the paper only to see:

Spoiler

Ale looks confused, as he starts to walk upstairs.

I wonder……..

He gets to the bathroom to see a note and another piece of paper on his bathroom mirror. The note reads:

Your bedroom is next, you’re almost there. (The piece of paper is your next hint just in case you haven’t found out yet.)

Ale gets frustrated, and rips up the post-it note, but before he takes the piece of paper, he hears a very loud noise, possibly stomping or fist slamming the ground, presumably coming from the attic.

Whatever.

Ale takes the piece of paper, and flips it over only to see:

Spoiler

Why am I getting these? This just turned from great to bad, when I find this prick that broke into my house, I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Ale walks upstairs, as you can already see the anger in his eyes, as he reaches his room, he sees a note on the dresser next to his bead that holds his lamp, and a huge lump under his sheets in his bed. He picks up the note with much hesitation, and it reads:

Upstairs bathroom is next, and don’t worry, you’ll be very pleased with that clump under your bed, it’s your next gift, and hopefully you’ll experience holding more of it.

Spoiler

Ale is stunned at the sight. As he picks up the object, he almost faints.

Alright, almost done, upstairs bathroom is next.

Ale is now sprinting into the upstairs bathroom, as he gets there he sees again a note on the mirror, but this time there is no paper next to it. He opens up the note, and it reads:

You made it! Your surprise for this room is behind the toilet, and you’ll finally find out what exactly is going down up in the attic.

He picks up the object by the handle, and is both confused and surprised when he looks down and sees what exactly it is:

Spoiler

What the hell, whatever now I’ll find out.

He packs the object into his backpack, as he starts to jog up into the attic.

He opens the door to the attic, but before he flicks on the lights, he hears a strange, yet familiar voice.

Hey buddy.

Ale flicks on the lights, only to find it to be his father, George.

No.

Miss me?

Ale is now on his knees; stunned.

Get out of my house!

Wait.

I said get out of my house!

Wait.

I said……

I said Wait! Don’t you want to know what the “gifts” mean?

It was you.

Of course it was, now pour everything out, think, and you’ll know.

Ale's face is still in shock, as George just stands there, grinning.

Remember, it’s your next up and coming match.

I lost to Reynolds.

Ale pours out the bag.

Don’t worry about it, you got SCREWED by the chump Burna anyway.
S.C.R.E.W.E.D.

I know.

Don’t worry about it, just think and tell me.

Ale sits there for 5 minutes until he finally gets it.

No way.

George winks.

I’m facing Blade in a ladder match for the EurAsian title at Redemption.

Yes and no.

Ale looks confused.

What do you mean yes and no? You think this is funny dad? It'll end up just like our last encounter years ago if you made me go through all this time, and you just joking about it.

Calm down, calm down. It’s an open challenge to the whole WZCW roster, not just one on one. Just another chance for you to wreck everything and everyone in your way.

Wow, really? My bad. Don’t come though. Seriously.

Whatever you want, I know that after all of these years, you might not want to forgive me, but I do see that you are taking my advice to heart, and I appreciate that. Shut these annoying “fans” up, and win that title.

I will, and no matter who steps in my way, they won’t stop me.

Nobody’s your boss son, nobody.

I know dad, I know.

They shake hands, each of them smile.

Make everyone your bitch son, especially those fans, just in the palm of your hand.

I know dad, I know.

Scene fades to black.

 

[Dave]

Constantine: All good things must come to an end.

Constantine stand before his followers, dressed head to toe in the suit he has come to be known by. His followers sit with their hands clasped on their chest, eyes shut. They listen as the word of Constantine is spread to them.

Constantine: Everything in the history of this beautiful world that has brought joy to the lives of others has eventually faded away and left them empty and broken. Whether it is the love of a woman or the pleasure of meeting one's personal hero. Eventually, all of the positivity and energy that was drawn from that moment will mean nothing. Memories left in the dark abyss of the past.

Yet Blade cannot see this. He attempts to believe that his insignificant tile run with the EurAsian Championship will last forever. Blade prides himself on being the best talent who has never won the WZCW Heavyweight Championship and believe that it is his destiny to eventually take his place on the throne of WZCW. He stands against the tides of time and expects to come out on the other side with a better lot than what he went in with. He seems to think that he is untouchable. He seems to think that he is immune to all of the factors that have taken titles form better men. He seems to think that he is better than fate.

Some of Constantine's followers let out a bemused groan, taken aback by how Blade is being painted in this picture.

Constantine: But no man is better than their fate! And when all is said and done, Blade's title reign will fade into obscurity, embracing the darkness that surrounds the past.

Against all of the odds, Blade has shown himself to be a true Champion. He has taken his lumps along with the best competitors in the company and he has continued to bounce back from everything that is thrown at him. He won the EurAsian Championship with guts and spirit that has come to be synonymous with myself and for that, I respect Blade. He and I are cut from the same cloth, in many respects. We refuse to bow down to the whim of those who supposedly make the rules. We refuse to be taken advantage of by the fans of WZCW and we will both give everything to make our mark in this world.

Yet, as I stand before you, I am indebted to Blade. You see Blade ended the career of Chris Beckford. The same Chris Beckford who pranced around the company with his high-hopes and aspirations of being the best there was. Every man and their dog knew that Chris Beckford could never reach that goal and it was time that he realised that not everything is sunshine and rainbows. No, there are bastards in this world and specifically in this company. I am a bastard, Ty Burna is a bastard and Blade is a bastard. Chris Beckford's actions finally caught up with him. My only regret is that I was not the one to finally hammer the final nail into his coffin.

Constantine stops for a moment and takes a deep breath in. His mood is sombre and collected. He is not angry or frustrated. Rather, he is calm and his tone serves to make his words all the more chilling.

Constantine: And it was at that moment, as Blade broke the leg of Chris Beckford, that I took notice of The Prodigal Son. As he snatched the career of Chris Beckford away from him, my ears pricked up. This was a man who I could relate to. Blade was a man who had something to lose and he would do anything to defend the right to keep it. He would snap the limbs of those who opposed him to keep his shiny gold title around his waist. Right way, I knew that he would be my next target. Once Titus is out of the picture and people realise that I have what it takes to beat any single man inside the ring in any given stipulation, then Blade will be the next man with a target on his back.

He seems to think that I have forgotten about his role in my elimination from the EurAsian Championship match at All Or Nothing and is trundling along as if he cannot be touched.

But please mark my words when I tell you this, Blade cannot run from me forever. His fate inside the ring will come and when that time comes, he will lose everything. My vengeance will strike down upon him with more impact than a nuclear bomb and I will take away everything that he has come to earn. I will leave him as a shell of a man and he will know that he was nothing compared to The Power Trip.

Constantine's tone switches for a moment as he loses himself in thought. His rage, that was so secretive before, is now on show for everyone to see.

Constantine: And at Redemption, he will know that his days are numbered. At Redemption, he will find that everything he has come to know and love will fade like everything else. The genuine positivity and love that he has for his Championship will be taken from him, like the career of Chris Beckford was snatched away. Do not come before a man and his prey. Chris Beckford learned that and Blade will learn that at Redemption.

Yes, everything good must come to an end and at Redemption, the championship reign of Blade... Will be over.

 

[Blade]

The scene opens in a small but crowded bar. Everyone is enjoying their Friday night with a few drinks. The only person not dancing or chatting happily with friends is the solitary figure of Blade sitting at the bar. Mostly oblivious to what's happening around him despite the noise. He sips his straight vodka, clearly distracted until a young, drunk blonde gets beside him.

"Oh my god, you're Blade! You're the guy! Oh my god, I have such a crush on you!"

Blade continues to sip his vodka, looking irrtated by the unwanted visitor.

"I watch you all the time, those muscles... Mmm! So, you wanna get me a drink? Or maybe we can just get out of here, go some where a bit more... Quiet? I'd love to touch your 'belt'..."

The girl giggles drunkenly at her own wit before Blade puts down his glass slowly, and turns to her with an icy stare.

"Sure we can get out of here. If you want to listen to me describe to you what it feels like to have ended a man's livelyhood."

The girl's grin fades as she slowly backs away towards her friends. Blade turns back around and orders another vodka. As he takes the first sip of his new vodka, he feels a hand clasp his shoulder and he hears a familiar voice in his ear.

"Only you could pick a shithole like this...."

A man who looks quite similar to Blade sits at the bar beside him and orders a pint of Heineken. Blade turns his head slightly to the man, the faintest hint of a smile across his lips.

"I didn't think you'd come."

The man takes a gulp of beer and grins.

"I thought you had more faith in your older brother than that!"

Blade gives a quick shrug before awkwardly taking another sip of his drink. His brother turns to him, looking at Blade curiously.

"So why on earth did you ask me to meet you? We don't usually see each other apart from Christmas and when you occasionally show up to one of my kids' birthdays."

Blade is about to speak, but his brother loudly cuts him off.

"No wait, let me guess..."

His brother mockingly rubs his chin, looking thoughtful.

"It can't be money. I hear you're making 6 figures these days. Unless maybe you have a gambling or drug problem? Oh, you knocked up some groupie! I'm putting my money on that!"

"Mark, would you shut up for a second? I need.... Advice."

Mark looks serious for the first time and takes a few gulps of beer before taking out a pack of cigarettes. He offers one to Blade, who takes it, before taking out one for himself and lighting it up.

"Ok, now that's had a few seconds to sink in, all I have to say is... What the fuck? Man, I've never known you to need advice or help in any way. I remember when Dad was exerting that torture he called training on you, and even when you had muscles that felt like they would tear or when you were to trying to get on with stuff when you had fractured bones. You never once asked for help. You were always so headstrong. Not to mention stubborn. That's why Dad chose to train you to be a World Champion instead of me. So what possible situation could you have gotten yourself in so that you need advice?"

Blade shakes his head, taking a long drag followed by a quick sip of vodka.

"I don't know how much you keep up with what happens in WZCW. But last week, I ended up in the ring with the man who I've been battling for the last 3 months. And he was sore. I was fine. And I lost it."

Mark looks at him quizzically.

"How so?"

"I started beating on him and... I didn't stop until I knew I'd gone to far. I strayed from my plan."

"Plan?"

"Ending his career. I was supposed to hurt him on Meltdown and finish him at Redemption in the ladder match. That was part of my destiny... And his destiny."

"Still talking about that destiny of yours? Christ, you haven't changed at all..."

"And now at Redemption, there's some open challenge where I face a mystery opponent."

Mark puts out his cigarette while nodding.

"I get it. You don't know who you you're facing, and you're freaking out..."

For the first time, Blade let's out a laugh, and for a brief moment, the usual fire and determination appearing in his eyes.

"I could not be less worried about the children who could be potentially facing me. The latest batch overly confident nobody rookies get a chance to talk shit about me. I've been dancing this dance for years now. Ale? Armando Paradyse? Chances are they won't even be around in a few months, after all the cocky young losers I've seen come and go."

"Listen, I keep up with WZCW more than you think and... Well, people are saying Black Dragon and especially King Shabba are legitimate threats..."

"I've told you, I'm not worried. Dragon and Shabba have huge potential, sure. But so did Trevor Steel, and he's nowhere now. Potential means nothing comes this Sunday, they're still just undeservedly cocky rookies, like the others."

Mark finishes his beer and lights up another cigarette.

"Need I remind you, you were once an undeservedly cocky young rookie."

Blade shakes his head, looking frustrated.

"That's neither here nor there. If these new kids want to go anywhere, they'll need to learn the lessons that I learned years ago. They're not my concern."

"So?"

Blade's lips tremble slighty as he utters the name of his arch rival.

"Beckford."

Mark looks puzzled as he takes the first sip of his new bottle.

"You fucked him up pretty badly. He's gone. Why on earth would you be worried?"

Blade shakes his head and rubs his face for a moment.

"It's difficult to explain."

"Try me."

"When I walk into Redemption, I have the challenges before me. The cold, steel ladders and the mystery opponent. A devil I know and a devil I don't. But they don't bother me. What bothers me stems from the root of everything that defines me... My destiny."

"Ah yes, the destiny..."

"It was supposed to be Beckford. It was supposed to be me against Beckford at Redemption. That's where I was supposed to end him... I made a mistake. I've never caused my destiny to go off track before and now I'm afraid that Beckford will make an appearance in Redemption and try cost me the title. As unlikely as that sounds, I'll be paranoid during the match, looking over my back the whole time. And that, if I lose, is what will cost me the title."

Mark takes another swig and a quick drag of the cigarette as he looks thoughtfully at his brother. He takes a moment to absorb what Blade has says and weighs his words carefully.

"While, in your 24 years on the planet, I have never understood your belief in your destiny, I have always resepected it. I would kill to have that kind of direction, determination and confidence. With that said..."

Mark stands up and takes his wallet out of his pocket.

"But at Redemption, it's not Beckford or a mystery opponent you have to stop. It's yourself."

He puts a tenner down on the bar and puts his jacket on.

"Take care, brother. I'll say hi to the kids for you."

Blade nods and turns back to the bar to finish his drink as Mark walks toward the exit.

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Blade arrives at the arena, gear bag in hand and his EurAsian title belt over his shoulder. He walks past a crowd of slightly hysterical fans who have been waiting all day to catch glimpses of their favourite wrestlers before the Pay Per View. Blade ignores that jeers and requests of the crowd as he enters the arena. Rebecca Serra is standing inside, waiting for interviews with arriving wrestlers.

"Blade! Got time for a quick one?"

"I hope you mean an interview."

Blade walks down the halls towards the locker rooms with Rebecca alongside him, struggling slightly to keep up with Blade's pace.

"That's no funny. Just give me a few words on your thoughts before the ladder match for your title tonight."

Blade stops abruptly and turns to Rebecca.

"You know something? Some would stress about the opponent they have to face, or the inevitable pain that will come from the ladders. But I was worried about the non-factor that is Chris Beckford. I was worried that he would make an appearance. I was worried that I'd be distracted by my worry of Beckford making an appearance. But then I got some advice from someone. I thought I'd ended my rivalry with Beckford when I finished off his career last week. But that didn't give anyone closure. We never got that last epic match that the rivalry deserved. So that's why, when I go out tonight, I dedicate this match to Beckford, because when I go out there, and whatever nobody's music plays, I'll see Chris Beckford coming to the ring. I will be wrestling Chris Beckford. And, once again, I will be defeating Chris Beckford, both through this vicarious opponent and by conquering any lingering fear I have or have ever had over him. Regardless of my opponent, this, tonight, is where my rivalry with Beckford ends. Now, if you'll excuse me Becky..."

Blade strides off towards the locker rooms, leaving the fans with a lot to think about.